He said they were currently advertising for jobs and expected to employ about 12 people.
Meanwhile work on Eat Streat's newest bar is progressing well.
Tamati Coffey and partner Tim Smith are opening Ponsonby Rd in the spot that was a hairdresser's salon.
Mr Coffey said they planned to open on March 12 and everything was coming together.
He said he was impressed with how busy Eat Streat was.
"You would think it is still Christmas."
He said the process of opening the bar had been "a bit of a learning curve".
"We feel as if we've struck gold getting a spot on Eat Street. Location is everything."
Fluver Litten has just opened Coconut Cafe and Restaurant on Fenton St, specialising in South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine.
Mr Litten said he wanted to offer something new to Rotorua.
"It's a totally different cuisine. I just try to introduce a different style of food not available."
He said there was a strong Sri Lankan and South Indian community in the city.
MaoTao restaurant recently opened on Hinemoa St, in the building near City Focus formerly occupied by Aunty Annie's Cafe.
Its opening coincided with the Chinese New Year.
Manager Ting Wang wanted to change the way local people perceived Chinese food.
"We want to run a traditional Chinese restaurant with modern management.
"New Zealand people think they know Chinese food but in fact there are over eight different types of cuisine in China.
"We want to change people thinking Chinese food is just deep fried."
She said they chose to set up MaoTao in Rotorua when the city featured on Chinese reality TV show, Dad, Where Are We Going?
Meanwhile, Aunty Annie's Cafe and Catering owner Annie Lingman has relocated her business to further down Hinemoa St.
The main reason was because of the rent, which she said was about a third cheaper in her new location.
She said her new business had more of a focus on the catering side, with boxed food that was easy to eat on the run.
- Additional reporting Bridie Witton
