Q&A: Does SpudULike Franchise in the UK?
Cara Squires, writer
If you’re a lover of oven-baked potatoes AND a business savvy professional in search of their next investment adventure, it’s hard to beat SpudULike. Running a SpudULike franchise would allow you to benefit not just from the well-known brand name and a lowered level of risk, but from a huge amount of franchisor support and training, too. Read on, and discover whether you can make a franchise investment and start your own SpudULike restaurant.
Unique restaurant franchise concepts can be hard to come by in the saturated, ever-expanding and ever-innovating fast food sector with a UK market size of over £15 billion [Statista]. But if you can find a unique franchise and launch your own location? You’re in for a great deal of success, profitability and demand. That’s why SpudULike, the undeniable leader in the baked potato sub-sector, is such a strong choice. But does SpudULike franchise in the UK?
>> Read more:
- 12 Things to Consider When Identifying the Right Location for Your Restaurant Franchise
- 3 Ways to Get Funding For Your Restaurant Franchise
- Regulations and Licences Required to Open a Restaurant
- 14 Tips for Defining and Reaching Your Restaurant's Target Customers
- Hiring Employees for Your Restaurant
- Choosing a Concept for Your Restaurant
Does SpudULike franchise in the UK?
If you’re interested in building a thriving restaurant business selling mouth-wateringly good SpudULike stuffed potatoes, you’ll be disappointed to discover that SpudULike isn’t currently open to applications from franchisees. SpudULike lovers can still visit one of the company’s branches for a ‘tato treat, but if franchising with a brand like this sounds like your kind of career, you’re going to need to explore other avenues within the world of fast food.
The history of SpudULike
SpudULike’s fresh, oven-baked potatoes are beloved by UK customers, and the brand’s wide range of quality, delicious fillings are equally adored. The company was first founded in Edinburgh, in 1974, by Kim Culley and Barbara Cain. Nearly 50 years later, following a September 2019 acquisition by potato firm Albert Barlett, TV chef James Martin is currently spearheading a campaign to update and improve SpudULike. Unfortunately, SpudULike is not currently franchising, but fortunately, there are many other fast food franchise investment opportunities to explore.
SpudULike has joined forces with none other than James Martin to take the humble baked potato to a whole new level. Crispy on the outside, our perfectly baked potatoes are adorned with imaginative, fabulous toppings that could only have come from the hands of James Martin. It’s what you’ve been waiting for – the perfect baked potato is ready! - SpudULike
Start a franchise in the fast food industry
If you can’t start a SpudULike franchise selling delicious baked potatoes, what can you do? Thankfully, a whole lot. Your options are many and various even with this potato giant off the table. As touched upon above, in 2022 the fast food sector is vast and ever-growing, always innovating. There are many different exciting sub-sectors and areas of demand to get involved in, from fried chicken shops to noodle bars. Here are some of the best options to consider right now…
1. Rooster Shack
Rooster Shack is a sleek, unique quick-service chicken shop that first sprang into life in Surrey in 2016 as the brainchild of Imran Mamud and his father. The franchise has been expanding ever since and won the Good Food Award for its takeaway services in 2020.
- Becoming a Rooster Shack franchisee: You’ll need experience running a business, either in or out of food service. You should also be committed, hard-working and positive, with the determination to achieve long-term franchise success.
- How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £75,000, with franchise fees of £17,500, a total investment cost of £150,000 and advertising and royalty fees charged at 2% and 5% respectively.
- What you get for your investment: You’ll receive plenty of training and support, including continuous menu and product development, introduction to nominated suppliers, regular franchisor visits for review and planning and much, much more.
2. 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.
3. Shoryu Ramen
Shoryu Ramen sells authentic Japanese ramen in a fast-casual setting and has been popular 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 branch and three weeks on home turf. You’ll then receive set-up, launch and marketing support, menu development guidance and a franchise operations manual.
>> Read more:
- Franchising 101: The Official Franchise Start Up Checklist (Part 1)
- Franchising 101: The Official Franchise Start Up Checklist (Part 2)
- New Year, New Career: No Better Time Than Now to Start a Franchise Today
- Franchising 101: 8 Signs You're Ready to Start a Franchise
- Starting a New Business Doesn't Always Lead to Immediate Success: Here Are 5 Ways to Change That
- It's Never Too Late to Start a New Business
SpudULike franchise opportunities is an excellent way to start running your own business
Hopefully, you now see that you don’t need to start a SpudULike franchise in order to thrive in the fast food franchising space. If you’d like to continue your research into the industry and keep searching for that perfect investment opportunity, stay on Point Franchise. Discover five tips for running a fast food franchise, the top six fast food trends of 2022 and finally, how to choose the right fast food franchise for you.
Cara Squires, writer