Posted:30-May-2023
SIDEMEN SET TO OPEN 10 "SIDES" LOCATIONS ACROSS UK DURING 2023 INCLUDING FIRST HIGH-STREET RESTAURANT
SIDES is on track to further expand across the UK with 10 new locations across the UK in 2023.
The growth plans will create 100 jobs and expand the brand’s footprint into the North of England alongside an exciting launch into Scotland.
The fried chicken brand has been developed by the famous YouTube collective, The Sidemen, arguably the most popular and influential content creators in Europe.
SIDES is springboarding its growth through unique product innovation, including its most-recent offering, SIDES Hot Chicken. The Nashville-style chicken is dipped in paprika spiced oil with five increasing levels of heat.
The latest product joins spicy ketchup and corn ribs on the menu, with further food developments at SIDES including an improved chicken coating method.
As part of growth plans, the fried chicken brand will be opening in the UK’s leading shopping centres up and down the country to accompany its existing virtual restaurants.
The social media sensations will be continuing to add to the brick-and-mortar portfolio of SIDES with a launch onto the high street.
These new locations will add an experiential element to the SIDES dining experience with interactive elements throughout and subtle nods to YouTube culture.
The flagship restaurants will be larger, with screening spaces alongside room for parties and launch events to make it a must-visit for any Sidemen fan.
SIDES is part of Virtual Hero, a subsidiary of the Hero Brands group behind the exploding fast-casual chain German Doner Kebab, Choppaluna, Island Poké, and XIX Vodka, a further Sidemen brand.
The fried chicken brand is currently available to order across the UK and the Middle East with many more to open globally by the end of 2023.
Josh Bradley (Zerkaa), The Sidemen, said: “The fans have been crying out for more SIDES locations, so we are excited to meet the fever pitch demand with more restaurants across the UK.
“Our first ever high street store will be a special moment for all of us and we cannot wait for everyone to try them as they will be a real celebration of the Sidemen ahead of our ten year anniversary as a group.
“We are looking forward to fans visiting these new locations and trying our evolved menu offering, including our new SIDES Hot Chicken. Our take on Nashville-style chicken which has an unparalleled flavour and heat combination, it is a must-try.”
Robin Mehta, CEO of SIDES said: “At Virtual Hero, we are responding to emerging consumer trends and are looking to build an ecosystem of the brands of the future.
“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.
“The virtual locations have allowed us to rapidly reach more people across the nation but we are thrilled to expand our brick-and-mortar offering this year. The high street restaurant is a fresh concept for creating a new form of engagement for fans.
“Alongside our shopping centre locations, these additional brick-and-mortar restaurants will bring us to the focal point of communities. It will allow fans to be able to access an unrivalled Sidemen experience in their area alongside a new evolved menu offering.“
SIDES has already launched in Market Place Harrow this year, marking its third bricks-and-mortar restaurant in the UK. The restaurant at Market Place Harrow expands SIDES’ physical portfolio, as it follows its other brick-and-mortar restaurants in Wembley BOXPARK and Gravity Wandsworth.
As part of global growth, SIDES is set to add 200 physical and virtual locations to its portfolio in the next ten years.
In addition, SIDES is also available for delivery via the major food delivery platforms UberEats and Deliveroo across key locations in the UK.
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