All franchising articles
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NewsYousif Aslam exits Heavenly Desserts
Aslam, who founded the dessert café franchise with Mohammad Imran back in 2008, says he leaves the business in the hands of ‘a highly capable and committed leadership team’
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NewsEsquires Coffee reports strong systemwide sales growth across UK and Ireland
The Cooks Coffee-owned brand has reported a 22.8% increase in full year group store sales, supported by ongoing expansion of its franchised estate
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NewsShrimp & Co makes London debut
The Brixton opening is expected to be the first of several launches planned for 2026 for the casual dining seafood concept, as it accelerates its presence across the UK
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NewsSmacks Burgers & Hot Chicken secures backing from rappers
Sky News reports that Smacks has appointed hip-hop duo Krept & Kronan as creative directors and investors, as the brand kicks off a multimillion pound fundraising aimed at helping it grow to 100 UK sites
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NewsCreams completes strategic transformation
The 100-strong dessert café brand said it has successfully completed its repositioning towards a franchise-led, manufacturing-driven and scalable operating model
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NewsLeon brings back Nick Scovell to run restaurant operations
Scovell rejoins founder John Vincent as Leon rebuilds its senior team, bringing back those who were closely involved in the brand’s earlier expansion
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NewsMinor Hotels launches Colbert Collection
Taking its name from its Chelsea all-day restaurant of the same name, the premium soft brand will work with independent hotels owners via management and franchise agreements, with expansion planned in the UK and worldwide
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Analysis & InsightDublin down on growth – why quick-service brands are flocking to Ireland
The Emerald Isle’s QSR market is seeing an influx of operators crossing the Irish Sea attracted by surging consumer demand, a strong economy and favourable rates of VAT
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InterviewsBlack Sheep Coffee: ‘The main focus is honestly just growth’
Chief growth officer Isobel Childs says the coffee shop chain is aiming to reach 300 UK sites by end of 2028 with franchise agreements now in place across the country
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NewsAzzurri explores Dave’s Hot Chicken sale
The TowerBrook Capital Partners-backed group is understood to be preparing a sale of the UK and European franchises of Dave’s Hot Chicken for later this year
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NewsAuntie Anne’s ‘seeing strong demand’ as system sales rise
The hand-baked pretzel franchise has reported a sales uplift of 14% across its UK estate for 2025 amid rising demand from consumers for on-the-go treats
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InterviewsTaco Bell: ‘We’re at a tipping point of penetration’
Ian Cranna, general manager for UK and Europe, told MCA’s Food to Go Conference the US Tex-Mex chain is bullish about its growth prospects in the UK
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NewsBrewDog owner in talks to rebuy closed bars
Tilray Brands CEO Irwin Simon told The Times the focus for any expansion is likely to be on smaller-scale venues rather than huge sites like BrewDog’s venue in Waterloo Station
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NewsPopeyes announces entry into Ireland
The team behind Popeyes UK have secured a master franchise development deal, with an initial site opening in Blanchardstown, Dublin, and a further pipeline of additional restaurants across the country already secured, including an additional Dublin ‘megastore’
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NewsEatphoria grows sales to £24m
The hybrid QSR group has reported a 26% rise in total system sales with like-for-likes up 13%
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NewsIRO Sushi launches joint venture programme
The QSR chain has partnered with a leading high street bank to finance joint-venture franchised stores as it looks to accelerate its UK expansion strategy
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NewsHeavenly Desserts moves into retail
The dessert café franchise is to launch a range of milk cake trays under the first phase of a wider retail strategy
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InterviewsCooks Coffee: ‘Matcha is no longer a fad’
The Esquires Coffee owner says it has made various changes to appeal to younger Gen Z consumers, as well as Millennials, through embracing new technologies and introducing more health-conscious menus
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InterviewsDoner Shack: ‘The US is our most important territory for expansion’
Co-founder Sanj Sanghera says the Berlin-inspired QSR brand has signed dozens of franchise agreements for the US and is also exploring options for company-owned sites across the pond
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NewsSides plan 15 more this year
The fried chicken chain from YouTube sensations The Sidemen is committing to new UK openings after witnessing “incredible momentum”