Best non UK food franchise?

[Kudos]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in Food & Drink section...

I spent a good chunk of last year looking into buying a master(ish) franchise for my region of UK. I got fairly well down the road with a very well known brand (€1Bn+ t/o) who were looking to branch out into new territory. Things were going well and I had the agreements in place with the master franchisee in the UK, however it turned out they'd been doing some shady deals and it all went pop.

So, I've got some locations already to go but need to find the right product, preferably food/drink orientated. I want to go franchise based on the support available.

what's the best food/drink franchise you know of that's not already in UK - I'm thinking along the lines of Five Guys, Shake Shack etc?

[Frimley111R]

My first thought is that it's a risk aiming for a franchise that is not in the UK already. Who is to say what works abroad will work here? Far better to let someone else take the risk, surely?

[Kudos]

Frimley111R said:

My first thought is that it's a risk aiming for a franchise that is not in the UK already. Who is to say what works abroad will work here? Far better to let someone else take the risk, surely?

Valid point, and of course proper due diligence will be carried out.

I always liked to be ahead of the curve, hence looking for others recommendations on places they've had good experiences.

[Rutter]

Taco Bell? I don't understand why this isn't all over the UK.

[Kudos]

Rutter said:

Taco Bell? I don't understand why this isn't all over the UK.

I thought about that a few years ago, but to be honest I think the market for this has passed. The place is coming down with tortilla places. Too niche as well I'd say.

[ReallyReallyGood]

Cheesecake Factory!
Krispy Kreme has done quite well over here so I don't see why not.

[DuraAce]

Tim Hortons? I travel to Canada a lot and this place is always busy.

I know there is one in a Spar shop in London, just very surprised it hasn't expanded further in the UK.

[Kudos]

ReallyReallyGood said:

Cheesecake Factory!
Krispy Kreme has done quite well over here so I don't see why not.

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!

[ReallyReallyGood]

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!

[CharlieCrocodile]

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!

50% fat & 50% sugar. It's like crack, people will buy it no matter what.

[markcoznottz]

ReallyReallyGood said:

Cheesecake Factory!
Krispy Kreme has done quite well over here so I don't see why not.

Saw some Tim Horton donuts in a spar in brum as well a couple of years ago, Iv never seen such lacklustre business forays in my life, especially for such huge companies. I tried to find other stockists online and basically gave up. Krispey Kreme are only busy in some locations, others seem quiet, probably because they are too expensive to most people. In America donuts are cheap. I always wondered why we didn't have more usa fast food outlets over here, then I realised we are being ripped off. It's too pricey, turns the food into novelty items. There are obviously serious issues bringing these companies over here, dunkin donuts tried and failed a few years back, they have ONLY just dared open another london shop.

[dazwalsh]

Dunkin donuts!!!!!, basically donuts coffee and ice cream. God knows how they failed? They are a million times better than KK

Edited by dazwalsh on Tuesday 11th March 07:50

[Freakuk]

IHOP

[williamp]

When I was in california, i loved Carls Jr burgers.

[ModernAndy]

I'd suggest Hardy's, not for any business reason but because if you did open one here I'd be visiting on a weekly basis.

[Du1point8]

Dunkin donuts
Papa Johns
Dairy Queen
Wendys
Chipotle Mexican Grill
In-N-Out

[miniman]

I was going to say Wendy's. There used to be one on Oxford Street, not sure if its still there.

[ViperDave]

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

[YRRunner]

God I miss Tony Roma's ribs!!!

[Frimley111R]

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.