Latest news with #SpudBros
The Herald Scotland
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
How chefs can use TikTok and Instagram to their advantage
It's such a valuable tool for marketing and spotting food trends. You used to have to use magazines or adverts for that, but now there's a vast range of platforms from TikTok to Instagram and Facebook providing new avenues for getting word of your business out there. We have marketing teams in our group who help to develop ideas for content, but because my name is front and centre throughout the overall brand, it's really important for me to use that opportunity to show people who I am. It's an independent family business, so I love getting my son, Francisco, or nieces and nephews involved where I can. It's also great to take people along on foraging trips so that they can see the quality of the produce we're using in our kitchens. Aside from that, I personally really enjoy using social media and find that I learn from it. I follow many different chefs and find new techniques online rather than turning to cookery books. It's a great tool for self-development. It also means that sometimes I'll spot a trend which we can replicate within our business. A great example of that is food trucks. In recent years, with businesses like SpudBros running live streams while they're working, people have become a lot more interested in that kind of cooking and what goes on behind the scenes. That's how the idea to open the Lobster Shack at our Dune restaurant in St Andrews came about last June. We realised that people were interested in these cool wee pop-up places, or might not want to spend the money on coming in for a sit-down meal, so we started selling lobster rolls to go. This meant that they could try some of our fantastic, fresh seafood in a much more affordable and relaxed way. Read more: But it is hard to predict what the next big trend will. They always seem to come out of nowhere. Just look at how popular tinned fish has become these days because of people rating different types or comparing packaging on social media. As a chef, I'm really happy to see that happening because these wee tins are such a great ingredient to cook with. Everyone knows about tinned tuna, or maybe they've had a bad experience with a tin of mackerel, but there's such a lot of variety out there. My favourite is tinned mussels in smoked paprika. It's absolutely to die for. And, with the summer season coming up, a tin of sardines is a great thing to have handy for chucking in your picnic basket. Here's hoping the next trend will be fresh lobster rolls for the summer! You can keep up with Dean Banks on Instagram at @chefdeanbanks
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
TikTok's Spud Bros plan major expansion in Preston city centre
Tiktok stars the Spud Bros are planning a major expansion of their jacket potato and Harley Nelson currently sell spuds from an old tram in Preston city centre, but now they want to replace the traditional vehicle with a unit the size of two shipping containers. If their plans are approved by Preston City Council, the business would occupy the same spot in the middle of the Flag 29, and 22-year-old Harley went viral on social media last year after posting videos of themselves at work. They have now amassed more than four million followers. According to their planning application, the new premises would retain an "old Preston tram-style quality, featuring overhanging fascias and local art".A separate kitchen and serving area would be created to enable "safer and more efficient food preparation".It is anticipated the revamp could lead to the creation of six new unit would also feature space for a podcasting booth "to attract local and international celebrities to take part in Preston's famous Spud Bros food and share their experiences".For their ambitions to be realised, however, the brothers must persuade council planners that their proposals are suitable for the Market Place Conservation site is directly in front of the Grade I-listed Harris Museum and just yards from the city's Cenotaph. Sessions House and the former main post office – both Grade II-listed – are also brothers' application included plans for a mural by local artist Shawn section which would overlook the Cenotaph would have a "remembrance theme", according to the application, while the overall design is intended to "compliment and blend in to the character of the site" and reflect its brothers are initially seeking temporary planning permission for a period of five years, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spudway: Subway sandwiches pivots to jacket potatoes as 'demand soars'
The sandwich giant Subway is to start selling jacket potatoes for the first time as demand for the traditional British staple soars. Called 'Spudway', 170 branches of the 2,000-strong chain will today begin a jacket potato trial until mid-April, with fillings such as cheese and beans, tuna mayo, chicken tikka and 'taco beef'. Guests will also be able to top their jacket potatoes with regular fillings from the Subway menu, including the meatball marinara. Prices will start from £4.79. Deniz Safa, from Subway, said the brand was reacting to changing consumer demand and said jacket potatoes have been 'surging in popularity' in recent years. 'We're always looking to bring our fans delicious and customisable options that suit every taste and every budget,' she explained. '[Our jacket potatoes] are made with British potatoes, salted butter and a double portion of cheese, plus any of our many toppings.' Safa also acknowledged the recent buzz on social media. TikTok sensations such as the Tamworth-based seller Spudman, and the Spud Bros in Lancashire, helped to ignite something of a 'potato renaissance' in 2024. At the height of their fame, both vendors reported customer queues in their hundreds. Spud Bros launched an express hatch in Soho in the autumn. Many believe the cost-of-living crisis has had an impact. Consumer reports in 2024 found British diners were swapping shop-bought sandwiches, sushi and salads for money jacket potatoes to save money. Subway said its jacket potatoes will be available until April 15, with the potential for a nationwide rollout later this year. 'We're eager to see how Spudway is received,' Safa added. 'If our guests love it, this could be just the beginning.' Multiple locations.
