Since opening their first restaurant in 1997, YO! has become the UK's most recognised and loved sushi brand. Yet despite decades of success in the market, YO! only launched their franchise kiosk opportunity three years ago, bringing premium, freshly prepared sushi and Japanese food to some of the busiest and best-located Tesco supermarkets across the UK. Fast forward to today, and YO! kiosks are part of a thriving network of more than 500 locations.
The Wonderfield Group has recorded its highest-ever sales week in kiosks across the UK, just nine weeks into the new financial year, marking another major milestone in the company's continued growth across the UK sushi market. The record-breaking performance follows the successful rollout of new propositions across YO! and Panku kiosks in Tesco and Asda stores.
Canadian quick-service restaurant brand Mary Brown's Chicken is accelerating its UK growth plans and is now seeking a master franchise partner to spearhead development across England and Wales. With its first two restaurants already trading in Northern Ireland and a Glasgow location scheduled to open later this year, the award-winning brand is laying the foundations for a substantial presence across the UK.
Customers buy from brands they trust. The challenge? Building that trust from scratch can take years. For independent business owners, creating a recognised brand means investing huge amounts of time, money, and energy just to compete for attention.
Bubble CiTea is set to strengthen its presence in the UK with the opening of a new store at Gloucester Quays later this month, marking another milestone in the brand's expansion journey. The new location will be operated by Suman and Ramana, who become only the second franchise partners to join the Bubble CiTea network. Their appointment represents an important step in the continued growth of the brand, which is accredited by the British Franchise Association (BFA), reflecting its commitment to ethical franchising and best practice.
YO! Sushi and Panku have launched brand new summer menus for the World Cup, “It’s Game Time” and “Summer Kickabout”, running from now until mid-July. The seasonal offerings are inspired by crowd-favourite flavours from Mexico, the USA and Canada, bringing a bold, street-food twist to their grab-and-go sushi concepts.
Appetite for sushi across the Midlands continues to grow rapidly, with YO! reporting significant year-on-year uplifts across key locations.Worcester has delivered a 64% increase in sales, while Solihull is up 73% year on year. Coventry Arena stands out with exceptional performance, achieving a 200% uplift compared with the previous year, reflecting strong consumer demand for fresh, convenient Japanese-inspired food.
The rapid expansion of Sushi Circle across Ireland and Northern Ireland demonstrates the growing consumer demand for convenient, high-quality sushi in retail environments. Following several years of exceptional performance across existing locations, the brand continues to invest in new openings, bringing fresh sushi to more communities than ever before.
Greene King has opened its first franchise pub in Wales and its 30th Nest Pub overall.
The Clive in Cardiff has re-opened as a Nest Pub after a £350,000 investment by pub owner Greene King Pub Partners.
Jamaica Blue has officially opened its new Peterborough café today (Friday 5th June), bringing its premium coffee and vibrant all-day dining experience to the City. The new café, located at Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough, has created 20 new jobs for the local area.