Top 6 Fast Food Franchises in the UK

Becky Martin, writer

Published at 20/03/2019, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 6 min

Top 6 Fast Food Franchises in the UK
Photo © fast-food-franchise-article.jpg

If you’re looking to become your own boss and start a business within a popular, ever-growing sector, why not consider running a fast food franchise? Combine flexibility with franchisor support and profitability, and make an investment with one of the the top six fast food franchises in the UK, which you’ll discover listed below.


If running a fast food business in the UK interests you, you’ll be pleased to hear that while there’s huge competition in this thriving sector of food service, there’s also a large amount of corresponding demand. The takeaway and fast food restaurant market size in the UK is £19 billion [IBISWorld], and you could capitalise massively by joining this market - one of the many advantages of running a fast food franchise.

What is a fast food business?

A fast food delivery franchise, which is also referred to as a quick service restaurant (or a QSR), is a type of restaurant/food service business that sells customers speedy food with little to no table service. If you’re interested in starting your own, you’ll be doing the following things on a regular basis during your daily life as the owner of a fast food franchise:

  • Decision-making, multi-tasking and project management
  • Balancing the books and managing the franchise’s finances
  • Managing the franchise’s day-to-day operations
  • Customer service, communication and negotiation
  • Employee hiring, training and management
  • Quality control and inventory management

The 6 best fast food franchises in the UK


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1. Robunmo

Robunmo is a Chinese street food franchise, offering authentic and tasty dishes from bao buns to gyozas and spring rolls. Since its inception, Robunmo has developed delivery partnerships with major brands such as Just Eat, Deliveroo and UberEats.

  • Becoming a Robunmo franchisee: You won’t need previous experience in hospitality or food service to invest, but you will need to be business-minded and demonstrate a love of the Robunmo concept. You’ll also need to be outgoing, a lover of food and a hard worker.
  • How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £15,000, with a total investment cost of £25,000.
  • What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive a comprehensive training programme and a franchise operations manual. You’ll also be fully supported by your franchisor and offered marketing assistance as required.

2. Auntie Anne’s

Auntie Anne’s is the largest global soft pretzel chain, founded in Pennsylvania by Anne Beiler. The company was acquired and franchised by FOCUS Brands back in 2010, and has continued to expand ever since, delivering tasty treats to customers across the world.

  • Becoming an Auntie Anne’s franchisee: You won’t need industry experience to invest with Auntie Anne’s, but you will need passion for the industry and an ability to provide amazing customer service. You’ll also need to be committed, caring and ambitious.
  • How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £40,000, with franchise fees of £18,000 and a total investment cost of £145,000.
  • What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive a comprehensive initial training programme, development opportunities, and plenty of ongoing franchisor support.

3. Camile Thai

Camile Thai is a healthy and sustainable Thai restaurant franchise which was first founded in 2010 by Brody Sweeney. The company is innovative, putting a focus on bespoke technology, and with 45 locations and counting, you’ll be joining a strong and successful network.

  • Becoming a Camile Thai franchisee: You won’t need industry experience to invest with Camile Thai, but you will need to be hard-working, dedicated, and good with customers.
  • How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £100,000, with franchise fees of £20,000.
  • What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll be helped with site selection, store design, staff recruitment, business planning and more. You’ll take part in a six week training programme. You’ll then receive lifetime support with marketing, product and concept development, employee training and assessment.

4. Crepe Delicious

Crepe Delicious has been growing in size and popularity for a number of years. With the original idea for the business originating through a mixture of global influences, this franchise is bringing new and exciting crepe recipes to global audiences.

  • Becoming a Crepe Delicious franchisee: You don’t need previous sales experience to start a Crepe Delicious franchise - you just need to be entrepreneurial and, ideally, looking to run multiple franchise units.
  • How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £50,000, with franchise fees of £16,000, a total investment cost of £80,000 and advertising and royalty fees charged at 6% and 3% respectively.
  • What you get for your investment: You’ll have access to a full support package, with training and mentoring available on everything from product development, social media and marketing to construction guidelines and premises negotiations.

5. Mostro Pizza

Mostro Pizza is the world’s first takeaway that cooks a customer’s food directly outside their front door, in a specialist oven that gets the job done in seconds. At Mostro Pizza, the food is always hot, and the ingredients are always fresh and locally sourced.

  • Becoming a Mostro Pizza franchisee: You won’t need any previous industry experience to invest with Mostro Pizza, but you will need to be motivated, ambitious, willing to learn, and committed to the brand.
  • How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £85,000.
  • What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive extensive technical and management training on all aspects of the business. You’ll then be fully supported by your franchisor post-launch.

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6. Shoryu Ramen

Shoryu Ramen sells authentic Japanese ramen in a fast casual setting, and has been doing so since its inception in 2012. It’s since become the UK’s favourite ramen bar, and there are over 15 active franchise locations up and down the country.

  • Becoming a Shoryu Ramen franchisee: You should be hard-working and motivated, with the experience and resources required to launch, support and develop a successful Shoryu Ramen location in accordance with an agreed schedule.
  • How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £450,000, with franchise fees of £25,000, a total investment cost of £550,000 and advertising and royalty fees charged at 2% and 6% respectively.
  • What you get for your investment: You’ll receive four weeks of training at an existing restaurant branch, as well as three weeks of support in your own location. You’ll then get plenty of set-up and launch support, marketing support, menu development guidance and a comprehensive franchise manual.

Start a franchise in the fast food industry today

If you’re interested in running your own fast food franchise, this article has hopefully given you the inspiration you need to find the right opportunity - one that meets your needs AND sparks your imagination. If you’d like to continue your research into the wider world of food service, stay on Point Franchise and learn more about takeaway franchise opportunities, from the top four food takeaway sector trends of 2021 to how to start your own takeaway franchise.

Becky Martin, writer

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