Our Business
Since 2002 the SUKHO Group has grown fast in the UK, built on a reputation for authenticity and consistent quality.
The secret to the success has been an alchemy of creative flair, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the very ethos of Thailand, both through the authenticity and quality of the food and ingredients used every day, but also the warmth and genuine hospitality inherent in Thai culture.
With Ban & Gerrard’s deep knowledge and experience, the founders have built a strong team around them, all with a clear vision for the SUKHO Group over the next few years. The Group will continue to lead and fuel the UK’s love of Thai food, through its buoyant restaurant expansion plans, and innovative brand extensions.
Our History
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2002
Ban realises her dream and Sukhothai Chapel Allerton opens with 20 covers and eight team members
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2004
Due to huge demand, Ban takes the lease next door to expand the site to 40 covers
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2005
The Times newspaper names Sukhothai in the top 10 Thai restaurants in the UK
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2006
Once again, the restaurant expands into the final shop on the parade giving 96 covers
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2007
Sukhothai Headingley opens whilst Chapel Allerton features in the Good Food Guide, one of only six Thai restaurants to do so
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2010
Sukhothai opens its third restaurant in the affluent spa town of Harrogate with 100 covers
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2012
Sukhothai opens its third restaurant in Leeds, sited in the city centre with 200 covers
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2015
ZAAP Thai opens its first restaurant in Leeds city centre with 100 covers
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2015
ZAAP Thai heads to the midlands, opening in Nottingham with 200 covers
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2016
ZAAP Thai travels to the north east opening in Newcastle with 120 covers
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2019
ZAAP Thai opens its 4th site in the busy tourist city of York with 100 covers
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2019
The Central Processing Unit and development kitchen become operational
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2020
Ban’s Kitchen launches, with a range of frozen ready meals and recipe kits
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2021
Sukhothai Headingley rebrands as ZAAP Headingley creating the 5th restaurant for the brand
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2022
Zaap opens its sixth site in Sheffield, on the busy Ecclesall Road, with 100 covers and outdoor seating
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2024
Zaap Durham opens on The Riverwalk for Zaaps seventh site, with 120 covers
Ban’s story
Yupha Kaewkraikhot (AKA Khun Ban) Co-founder & Director
The true beating heart and creative inspiration for the group’s much-loved food. Ban’s incredible story starts in Sukhothai, Thailand, at the age of 10 helping her mother prepare food for the family, before at 16 leaving the family home for Bangkok.
It was whilst there she managed to save enough money to buy her own food truck and wowed the locals with her cooking skills, before a UK-based restaurant owner visited her busy stall and offered her a job to work as a chef back in England.
Through sheer determination, hard work and help from Gerrard, she once again saved enough money to open her own restaurant, Sukhothai Chapel Allerton.
Ban has since built a strong, senior team of chefs who run the day to operations whilst she oversees creative direction.
