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Posted:08-June-2022

VIRTUAL HERO ON TRACK TO REACH 200 SIDES LOCATIONS BY END OF 2022

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Virtual Hero is set to launch 200 Sides sites across the globe as it forges ahead with its ambitious growth plans.

The market leader in providing exciting and profitable delivery-only Restaurant Brands, is set to continue its expansion across the UK and abroad.

Developed in collaboration with famous YouTube collective The Sidemen, Sides is part of the Virtual Hero Brand and has been facilitated by REEF, the world’s largest operator of virtual restaurants.

Sides already has a number of sites across the UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Southampton. The brand also recently launched its first physical location in February at BOXPARK Wembley.

The number of locations is set to increase, with over 50 new Sides sites set to launch for delivery only, and sold exclusively online via major food delivery platforms UberEats and Deliveroo, by the end of 2022.

Alongside Virtual Hero’s sustained growth in the UK comes a thrilling additional launch overseas to accompany Sides growth in the Middle East.

After their success in the UAE, Virtual Hero is now looking to make an impact in the US with 40 sites set to launch across the country

Sides will soon be available across the US, with online delivery set to become available in Atlanta, San Diego, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Washington, Portland, Memphis, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Detroit.

Virtual Hero is on track to bring the great tasting fried chicken brand to all these new locations by July.

Virtual Hero CEO Robin Mehta said: “At Virtual Hero we are responding to emerging consumer trends in this fast-growing market and building the virtual brands of the future.

“Our sustained growth in the UK displays the demand for delivery only fast casual food still exists post pandemic and our business model allows us to quickly respond to this call across the nation. 

“To close the year with 50 sites in the UK shows how far the brand has grown in its first year and is a testament to the popularity of the Sidemen.

“The Sidemen are representative of exciting and relevant British talent being at the forefront of new trends and the expansion of Sides shows that this collaborative concept not only works but thrives.

 “I am also thrilled to expand Virtual Hero into the US and tap into a huge market as we continue to innovate in the dark kitchen space in partnership with REEF.”

Sides is part of Virtual Hero, owned by Hero Brands, the company behind German Doner Kebab; which has revolutionised the kebab in the UK. Choppaluna; the fast, fresh, food-to-go salad brand. Island Poké, the UK’s leading Poké operator. XIX Vodka;a premium drink from the Sidemen which went viral, selling out its first batch in under a minute.

The group has been making moves to strengthen its leadership team since the start of 2022, recently appointing Salman Siddiqui as its new Group Corporate Development Director, to provide further impetus to its ambitious plans to create a portfolio of cross-category, genre-defining brands of the future.

Andrew Brattesani, Head of Franchising at HSBC, has also joined as Board Advisor to support the leadership team.

Interested and want to know more about Sides?

The Sides profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.

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