Fast-food chain from the US that's ‘better than KFC' to open TWO more locations in weeks – check if they're near you
Following a strong reception in London, it is set to spread its wings across the country
HOT TOPIC Fast-food chain from the US that's 'better than KFC' to open TWO more locations in weeks – check if they're near you
A POPULAR US fast food chain is set to open more branches in the UK after its debut store found success in London.
The brand is expanding its presence in Britain's major cities after its debut store went down well with customers.
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Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant
Credit: AP
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The chain opened its first-ever British restaurant on Shaftesbury Avenue
Credit: Dave's Hot Chicken Uk
Dave's Hot Chicken is now set to launch stories in Birmingham and Manchester following its success in the capital.
The chain opened its first-ever British restaurant on Shaftesbury Avenue, London on December 7.
Following a strong reception in London, it is set to spread its wings across the country.
Steve Holmes, CEO of Azzurri Group, which owns the chain, said seven new locations will open by the end of the year.
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"We've had queues at the London site three to four months after opening," he said.
"The volumes are still phenomenal.
"Dave's gave us the opportunity to move into a new segment with a young consumer, a fast growing part of the market, and a different proposition."
The new site in Birmingham will take over a site on New Street that was previously operated by ASK Italian.
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An outlet in Manchester is expected to open shortly after that.
Dave's Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 in the US by Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan and Tommy Rubenyan as a late-night pop-up.
It now has more than 200 sites across America.
The brand is aiming to open as many as 60 venues across the UK and Ireland over the coming years.
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Jim Attwood, Dave's Hot Chicken UK managing director, said in January: "From an operational simplicity perspective Greater London is easier initially.
"At some point we're going to have to launch in another city though.
"And if we're confident, which we are, then we should take that step sooner rather than later."
US FAST FOOD EXPANSION INTO THE UK
Dave's Hot Chicken is far from the only American chain looking to make the transition across the pond.
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The burger joint Wendy's is already a hit in the US with over 6,000 restaurants.
Now the chain that "blows McDonald's out of the water" has plans to open 400 locations.
The chain returned to the UK high street in 2021 after a 20-year hiatus.
Wendy's is most famous for its square-shaped hamburgers, which are designed to maximise the amount of meat in every bite.
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Fast food giant Chick-fil-A is set to bring its beloved chicken sandwiches to our high streets next year.
The Sun exclusively revealed the exact locations of their first five permanent UK restaurants.
Tex-Mex brand Velvet Taco will also make its UK debut next spring.
Popeyes entered the UK market in 2021 and has proved to be a hit with ravenous customers ever since.
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In just 30 months, the brand opened over 38 restaurants across the UK.
It has plans to reach the 60-restaurant milestone by the end of 2024.
Shake Shack, which started out as a hotdog cart, recently opened its first restaurant inside a UK train station.
Brits commuting in St. Pancras International Station can now grab their favourite burgers before jumping onto their train.
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The new spot marks the fast food giant's 16th location in the UK since it was launched in Covent Garden in 2013.
While most of Shake Shack's UK sites are based in London, bosses have expanded into other locations in recent years, including Essex, Oxford, and Cardiff.
Shake Shack's humble beginnings trace back to a New York hot dog cart helmed by Randy Garutti.
Wingstop currently operates 39 sites across the UK and will open 15 more in 2024.
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Lemon Pepper Holdings, which runs the fast food chain's UK portfolio, said the move would create up to 750 jobs.
The US hospitality brand said it is its biggest year of expansion since launching Wingstop in the UK six years ago.
Dunkin' Donuts, which currently has 30 stores in the UK, hopes to open 30 new branches over the next couple of years as part of a major expansion plan.
Dunkin' Donuts landed in the UK in St John's in Liverpool in May 2016.
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The chain is huge in the US, with almost 9,500 stores spread across the country.
It sells a range of doughnuts, other sweet treats, and hot and cold drinks.
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