A TAKEAWAY business which allows customers to watch their food being prepared and track their delivery by satellite is expanding.

Muhammed Ali opened Maliks Indian in Chesterton two years ago and is now launching a new branch, Maliks Spice, in Hanley.

And as in Chesterton, hungry customers will be able to log on to the restaurant's website to see their food being cooked and then track its progress from stove to door via an online map linked up with a Global Positioning Navigation system.

Mr Ali and his team have invested about £50,000 in transforming a former fish and chip shop on Waterloo Street into Maliks Spice.

They are already planning further ventures around the region and are also hoping to market the innovative technology they use to takeaway owners across the country.

Mr Ali, who is originally from London but now lives in Hanley, said the new takeaway has created four jobs.

The 32-year-old said: "It will almost be a carbon copy of Maliks in Chesterton because we are using the same technology.

"The original takeaway has been very popular in the two years since we've been trading.

"We decided to come to Hanley because we get a lot of orders from there at Chesterton but we can't cater for them at the moment because by the time we delivered the food it would be cold. We believe the demand is there."

Mr Ali said he believes Malik's use of technology has contributed to its success.

He said: "We only cook with the freshest food and people can actually see it being cooked."

As well as watching their order being prepared and tracking its delivery to their home, customers will also be able to order and pay for their food via the website using credit and debit cards or online payment system PayPal.

Mr Ali said he believes takeaway owners all over the country would be interested in taking advantage of his ideas.

He said: "What we are hoping to do is to get a licence from the software developers to rent out the system to takeaways elsewhere – I think a lot of people would be interested in it.

"The system includes a marketing database designed for small takeaway owners who maybe can't afford major promotions."

Mr Ali said he has ambitious plans for the future. He said: "We're already looking at various areas elsewhere in North Staffordshire and also in South Cheshire to open more takeaways over the next six months, and ultimately we're thinking of setting up franchises as well."

Maliks Spice is due to open on Wednesday and the first 50 customers on opening day will receive a 50 per cent discount.

The first 25,000 will be given 20 per cent off. It will be open from 5pm to 11pm, Monday to Sunday.