All franchising articles
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InterviewsComing in Hot – why PizzaExpress is taking on the fried chicken market
The casual dining giant is spreading its wings with the master franchise rights for US challenger brand Houston Hot Chicken, which has just landed in the UK. PizzaExpress CEO Paula MacKenzie speaks to MCA about its “bold, brazen and loud” entry into the market
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NewsBlack Sheep makes new franchisee agreement for North of England and southern Scotland
The stores will be opened by SUR Group, with a minimum of 20 new stores across West Yorkshire and the Northern Counties, including Northumberland, Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway over the next five years
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NewsDoner Shack partners with Sessions
The UK-born, Berlin-inspired kebab franchise says the partnership marks ‘an important milestone’ in its UK growth strategy
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NewsCumberland Farms set to lose anchor Starbucks franchise
The Issa brother’s petrol station empire, formerly known as EG Group, has reportedly been informed by the coffee giant that its UK franchise will not be renewed
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NewsRosa’s Thai expands presence in UAE
The group says it is well positioned to navigate the challenges of the Middle East having launched its first restaurant in Abu Dhabi and a third Dubai location this year
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories including a new venture from Zuma co-founder Arjun Waney, Sandwich Sandwich’s first franchise location, and The Beefy Boys Welsh debut
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NewsBread Ahead secures Borough Market future
Founder Matthew Jones has confirmed the London-based bakery business won’t be leaving Borough Market anytime soon, but warns ‘trust is no longer there’ between his company and the market
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InterviewsCaprinos: ‘Saudi Arabia is one of the hottest markets for QSR right now’
Co-founder Khalil Rehman tells MCA the pizza business will be exploring expansion into other Middle East countries after signing its first franchise development agreement in the region
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NewsCaprinos secures Middle East foothold
The franchise pizza business will build a network of at least 30 sites within Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia’s most populous region, over the next five years under a new agreement
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InterviewsZambrero: ‘The UK is our next high-growth territory’
Emily Teh, UK CEO of Zambrero, told MCA that the UK is a key growth market for the business, with franchising at the heart of its expansion strategy
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NewsScoffs Group sets out plan to return to profitability
The UK’s largest Costa Coffee franchise partner has set out a series of initiatives to improve its margins amid ongoing pressures from subdued consumer confidence and persistent cost inflation
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InterviewsSubway: ‘The UK remains a key focus for investment and expansion’
Suzette Burger, VP of strategic execution for Subway EMEA, tells MCA hundreds of new openings are planned across the UK as part of the group’s ambition to double its footprint
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NewsIsobel Childs departs Black Sheep Coffee
Chief growth officer Isobel Childs has left her role at Black Sheep Coffee, following eight years at the business. The coffee shop chain recently opened its first drive-thru in Blackburn and is continuing to expand in the UK and overseas.
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NewsProper Good: ‘Nothing is off the table’
The Professor Green-backed business wants to offer a more nutritious alternative in the fast-food market without preaching to customers about what they should eat, managing director Rebecca Tye tells MCA
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NewsKFC franchisee The Adil Group acquires 22 restaurants
Acquired from former franchisee First Rate the package of sites comprises drive-thrus, small box sites and traditional restaurants across the North West of England, and align with Adil’s goal to grow its KFC business by 20% over the next five years.
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NewsGong Cha looks to further global growth as profits rise
The UK-based Taiwanese tea brand, which is being acquired by Bain Capital, saw topline revenue grow 12% in 2025 to $212.3m alongside a 10% increase in adjusted EBITDA
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NewsPBV acquires Bunify
The multi-brand franchise operator has bought a controlling stake in the loaded brioche buns business with plans to more than double its estate by the end of the year
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NewsSubway unveils blueprint to fuel EMEA growth
The sandwich giant has revealed a new look and brand proposition aimed at supporting plans to double its footprint across Europe, the Middle East and Africa within five years
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NewsWendy’s UK reports increased profits as its ups fees
The UK burger restaurant business has reported a £7.1m increase in turnover, to £41m, for the year to 31 December 2025, after it increased management fees for its UK restaurant services.
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NewsComptoir weighs AIM exit as board launches review of listing
The Comptoir Libanais operator is assessing whether its listing on London’s junior market remains appropriate, and is exploring a return of capital to shareholders