Best non UK food franchise?
Discussion
Frimley111R said:
I think that some of those mentioned fit well with the eating culture in their native countries but not so well in the UK. For example, even if donuts were as cheap in the UK they are still not food that British people think about eating in the same way. They fit alongside cakes and cakes aren't a big seller relative to other food groups.
Absolutely, I was amazed when over in the states that so many Americans considered 3/4 donuts to be a reasonable choice for breakfast. On the upside it left all the cereal, yogurts and fruit etc for us 
ViperDave said:
Du1point8 said:
Chipotle Mexican Grill
I have wondered how that one would translate myself. They always seem to have a steady flow of traffic in the US and its a simple product with complex options, As in more or less a single price and you can jam whatever you want into your burrito or bowl.Not sure how popular the burrito concept would be to the pie and chips British public, but you just know in the UK the price would be £10 so too expensive, the self service drinks so common in the US don't seem to work over here and the chavs would be selling the tobasco bottles down the pub before you could even un pack the next box full.
Edited by ViperDave on Tuesday 11th March 09:25
ViperDave said:
Du1point8 said:
Chipotle Mexican Grill
I have wondered how that one would translate myself. They always seem to have a steady flow of traffic in the US and its a simple product with complex options, As in more or less a single price and you can jam whatever you want into your burrito or bowl.Not sure how popular the burrito concept would be to the pie and chips British public, but you just know in the UK the price would be £10 so too expensive, the self service drinks so common in the US don't seem to work over here and the chavs would be selling the tobasco bottles down the pub before you could even un pack the next box full.
Edited by ViperDave on Tuesday 11th March 09:25
Du1point8 said:
ViperDave said:
Du1point8 said:
Chipotle Mexican Grill
I have wondered how that one would translate myself. They always seem to have a steady flow of traffic in the US and its a simple product with complex options, As in more or less a single price and you can jam whatever you want into your burrito or bowl.Not sure how popular the burrito concept would be to the pie and chips British public, but you just know in the UK the price would be £10 so too expensive, the self service drinks so common in the US don't seem to work over here and the chavs would be selling the tobasco bottles down the pub before you could even un pack the next box full.
Edited by ViperDave on Tuesday 11th March 09:25
Du1point8 said:
Maybe... but in london they do a massive trade, most days I can walk past http://tortilla.co.uk/locations/canary-wharf/ and there is queue all the way outside.
Everything is busy in Canary Wharf at lunchtime. The one in Westfield Stratford is less busy...Just me thinking this??
http://www.hooters.com/Home/Default.aspx
Just the 1 currently in Nottingham, unsure if others have tried and failed...
http://www.hooters.com/Home/Default.aspx
Just the 1 currently in Nottingham, unsure if others have tried and failed...
r4dcu said:
Just me thinking this??
http://www.hooters.com/Home/Default.aspx
Just the 1 currently in Nottingham, unsure if others have tried and failed...
That surely can't fail in London? http://www.hooters.com/Home/Default.aspx
Just the 1 currently in Nottingham, unsure if others have tried and failed...
chrisw666 said:
A couple of posts above I said that everything in Canary Wharf is busy at lunchtime. Everything is except for the hotdog stand....
My favourite US places have already been mentioned - I never have Mcdonalds, KFC or Burger King in the US, always looking for Wendys or Taco Bell if available.
I also agree that Taco Bell may have missed the opportunity as there seems to be a Mexican takeaway on every corner now, and it is more of a "delicacy" food rather than a fast food place. I also remember the Wendys in West End, but it never seemed to take off for some reason.
The Cheesecake factory is a good suggestion - BUT - the place needs to be big, and needs to be busy. I have never, ever, seen so much choice of food as on a cheesecake factory menu. I have no idea how they keep it all in stock and available at one time. Seems a risky one.
They are the 3 I would like to have on offer from what I have seen from being in US.
I also agree that Taco Bell may have missed the opportunity as there seems to be a Mexican takeaway on every corner now, and it is more of a "delicacy" food rather than a fast food place. I also remember the Wendys in West End, but it never seemed to take off for some reason.
The Cheesecake factory is a good suggestion - BUT - the place needs to be big, and needs to be busy. I have never, ever, seen so much choice of food as on a cheesecake factory menu. I have no idea how they keep it all in stock and available at one time. Seems a risky one.
They are the 3 I would like to have on offer from what I have seen from being in US.
Fats25 said:
My favourite US places have already been mentioned - I never have Mcdonalds, KFC or Burger King in the US, always looking for Wendys or Taco Bell if available.
I also agree that Taco Bell may have missed the opportunity as there seems to be a Mexican takeaway on every corner now, and it is more of a "delicacy" food rather than a fast food place. I also remember the Wendys in West End, but it never seemed to take off for some reason.
The Cheesecake factory is a good suggestion - BUT - the place needs to be big, and needs to be busy. I have never, ever, seen so much choice of food as on a cheesecake factory menu. I have no idea how they keep it all in stock and available at one time. Seems a risky one.
They are the 3 I would like to have on offer from what I have seen from being in US.
You cockneys are spoiled though, elsewhere in the country it really is slim pickings, its a blessing there is anything at all considering 10 years ago there was hardly any 'different' foods. In 2003 the only krispey kreme apart from harrods was at the bullring. I also agree that Taco Bell may have missed the opportunity as there seems to be a Mexican takeaway on every corner now, and it is more of a "delicacy" food rather than a fast food place. I also remember the Wendys in West End, but it never seemed to take off for some reason.
The Cheesecake factory is a good suggestion - BUT - the place needs to be big, and needs to be busy. I have never, ever, seen so much choice of food as on a cheesecake factory menu. I have no idea how they keep it all in stock and available at one time. Seems a risky one.
They are the 3 I would like to have on offer from what I have seen from being in US.
I had a box of sushi from wasabi in London and it was restaurant quality, the yo sushi outside of london is like eating cat food by comparison and outrageously exspensive. Wok 'n' Go is doing quite well, especially in student areas, but its only chinky in a box really, move along nothing to see there...
Id vote taco bell or Chipotle personally.
A few people have said above that that ship has sailed, im guessing you guys are from London?
in the last 5 years ive lived and worked in Milton Keynes, London (canary wharf), Cardiff, Leicester, Leeds, Wakefield and Reading/Wokingham.
All of the above BAR LONDON had no, and I mean zero (that I saw) fast food Mexican joints, a sit down £30 meal yes, a drive through or subway style take out, no.
I think it would go down a storm, id much rather eat there than KFC/Subway/Mc D's etc.
A few people have said above that that ship has sailed, im guessing you guys are from London?
in the last 5 years ive lived and worked in Milton Keynes, London (canary wharf), Cardiff, Leicester, Leeds, Wakefield and Reading/Wokingham.
All of the above BAR LONDON had no, and I mean zero (that I saw) fast food Mexican joints, a sit down £30 meal yes, a drive through or subway style take out, no.
I think it would go down a storm, id much rather eat there than KFC/Subway/Mc D's etc.
ReallyReallyGood said:
Kudos said:
I was in one in Dubai a couple of months ago, enjoyed it, but doesn't it require the American "charm" to make it work? I can't quite see Sally from Croydon having the same excitement!
Pay a good salary and they'll be as charming as you want!Du1point8 said:
Maybe... but in london they do a massive trade, most days I can walk past http://tortilla.co.uk/locations/canary-wharf/ and there is queue all the way outside.
You could sell a cardboard burrito for lunch in canary wharf and people would still queue up there. Tortilla isn't that great, Poncho 8 on the other hand 
markcoznottz said:
I had a box of sushi from wasabi in London and it was restaurant quality
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