Side Street: More Than Fast Food — It’s a Movement!
In 2020 when the world paused, we hit the gas. With high streets quiet and kitchens closed, we saw an opening: give people what they really wanted: bold, American-style comfort food delivered straight to their door. From a dark kitchen in Rochdale, Side Street started feeding hungry locals who craved quality without the trip into town.
We launched with just 4 smash burgers, 4 sliders, and fries - a tight, focused menu designed to test the market. The response? Instant traction. As demand grew, so did the menu: fried chicken burgers, wings, tenders, and loaded fries quickly followed. The goal was never just volume, it was flavour, quality, and cult-level craveability.
Our menu is constantly evolving to attract attention and drive repeat business. We have introduced new ranges over the years including – American BBQ, Smokehouse, Sando (Japanese-style sandwich) and Nashville Chicken.
For franchise partners, it offers a flavour-forward, scalable model with strong market appeal, delivery-ready operations, and a concept that keeps pace with what customers want next
Small Towns, Big Appetite
We saw the untapped goldmine in smaller towns, places overlooked by big chains but bursting with customers craving better takeout.
We turned the virtual model into real-world results expanding into multiple UK locations including: Rochdale (Manchester), Whitechapel (East London), Fallowfield (Manchester), Upton Park (East London), Walthamstow (East London), and a growing presence in Scotland – Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Glasgow.
Why Now? Why Side Street?
- The UK fast food sector is a £37.9 billion market (2024), growing steadily
- There are 2.5 billion burgers sold annually in the UK — and counting
- Consumers are willing to pay up to 58% more for premium fast casual burgers and quality BBQ
- Delivery and takeaway now account for over 60% of fast food revenue
- Side Street’s scalable formats and proven demand provide strong foundations for franchise success
This is more than a moment. It’s a movement — and Side Street is leading it. For franchise partners, this means stepping into a fast-growing, evolving market with a brand built for flavour, speed, and lasting impact.
Our Franchise Model
Our franchise formats now include fast casual restaurants and delivery and collection-based dark kitchens, built to fit a range of markets and budgets. All Franchise Partners are required to successfully open and operate a fast casual location before expanding into a dark kitchen format with Side Street.
This unique mix of dine-in, takeaway, dark kitchens, and collection points keeps us ahead of the curve - ready to serve wherever customers want to eat.
Our brand presence across the UK’s major platforms continues to drive new customer discovery and repeat orders; we’ve negotiated favourable commission rates meaning franchise partners benefit from stronger margins compared to typical entry-level rates.
Through a growing network of franchise partners across the UK, each rooted in their own local communities, we’re expanding in all the right places. Our partners know their turf, we know the playbook. We're shaping the future of fast food, one franchise at a time.
The Investment
Estimated total investment for a fast-casual restaurant: £150,000 – £190,000. Side Street has also proven to open stores with far lower initial investment, however, this will depend on certain factors. Contact us to discuss.
Your investment covers everything needed to get your Side Street restaurant up and running.
Estimated 12-18 month ROI and breakeven within 2 months.
To get started, you’ll need access to sufficient liquid capital to open your first Side Street site (fast casual format). Funding for additional sites can be supported through our trusted third-party finance partners. Typically, 50–70% of the total investment can be financed - subject to your individual application and financial standing.
National Brand Power. Local Market Precision.
Marketing is one of the most critical drivers of a successful food business and at Side Street, we don’t leave it to chance. As a franchise partner, you benefit from a dedicated, in-house marketing team focused on one thing: growing your business from day one.
From launch activation to long-term brand building, we deliver a full-service approach tailored to your local market, backed by national brand strength and proven performance strategies.
The power of authentic voices. That’s why influencer partnerships are a core part of our marketing strategy. We collaborate with trusted local and national social influencers who genuinely connect with their followers and bring attention to your store. These relationships create organic buzz and drive foot traffic. From local tastemakers spotlighting your smash burgers to broader campaigns that amplify the Side Street vibe nationwide, our influencer network helps build lasting customer loyalty and keeps your brand front and centre.
Snapshot of Our Socials:
- 36,348 Online Audience
- 400,000 + Social Reach
- 7000 Unique visitors per month
Ideal Partner
- Strong Business Acumen - Our ideal franchise partners bring a proven entrepreneurial mindset, with experience owning one or more businesses in the UK. Financial expertise—covering budgeting, local marketing, and business growth is key to driving success. While franchising or food and beverage experience is advantageous, it’s not a deal-breaker.
- Management Competencies - Managing a Side Street franchise means leading your in-house team, the engine behind day-to-day operations. Strong leadership, customer service excellence, and clear communication skills are vital to motivate your staff and maintain consistently high standards.
- Local Area Expert - Knowing your territory inside out is key. Your familiarity with the local market and opportunities will directly influence the success of your Side Street store.
- Financially Sound - You should have the capital needed to open your first, and ideally your second, Side Street location without relying on high street lenders. For additional financing needs, Side Street works with trusted finance brokers and banks who can support your expansion plans.
- Brand Ambassadors - Passion and professionalism go hand in hand. Our franchise partners embody the Side Street culture, faithfully following proven processes and representing the brand with pride essential ingredients for building a strong, lasting partnership.
- Growth Mindset - We’re looking for partners with ambition beyond just one or two stores. Multi-site operations and area development are encouraged for those ready to scale.
- Property Ownership (Not Mandatory) - Owning property or converting an existing food and beverage venue into a Side Street location can speed up your launch. However, property ownership is not required to become a franchise partner.
If you’re driven, business-savvy, and ready to lead with passion, Side Street offers a proven path to growth and success. Join us and become part of a brand built for the future.
Hear from our franchisees
At Side Street, our franchisees aren’t just partners—they’re the heartbeat of our brand. Hear directly from those who’ve rolled up their sleeves, embraced the hustle, and built thriving local hubs. Their journeys speak to the passion, support, and opportunity that come with joining the Side Street family.
“It has been an incredible privilege to collaborate with the owners of Side Street on the opening of multiple franchise locations. The unwavering support, insightful guidance, and openness to feedback demonstrated by Joshua, Yasir, and their dedicated team have made the entire journey remarkably smooth and rewarding. Their innovative and forward-thinking approach to franchising is both refreshing and rare in today’s landscape.
What has truly inspired me as a franchisee is witnessing their clear vision for the brand and the genuine passion they bring to it. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and it fuels a shared excitement about the future of Side Street.”
Suhail - Walthamstow & Green Street, Upton Park, East London
“I was looking in the market to bring something exciting and fresh to Bonnyrigg. This is one of the many reasons why Side Street and us fitted so well. They are a brand who have exceeded our expectations from the moment we declared interest in Franchising. Following the success of Bonnyrigg, we have now opened a second branch in Leith Walk and are on track to open our third. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support we receive on a daily basis. The team at Side Street have consistently given us guidance on how to improve in the branch, and where we can make the 1% difference everyday to become better. The rapid growth of the brand is exciting for us and anyone else associated with them.”
Ali - Bonnyrigg and Edinburgh, Scotland
Interested in Side Street?
Contact Krishma Vaghela
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