Q&A: Does Turtle Bay Franchise in the UK?
Cara Squires, writer
Published at 28/02/2022, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min
If you’re passionate about food and looking to run your own business, the decision to start a restaurant franchise might lead you down the perfect professional path. One popular restaurant in the UK’s Caribbean food sector, which you’re likely to come across during your research, is bar and restaurant chain Turtle Bay. But does Turtle Bay franchise in the UK, and can you invest in 2022
Anyone looking to become their own boss within a supported framework should consider franchising, especially when launching a business as involved and costly as a restaurant. As a franchisee and restaurant owner, you’ll enjoy plenty of profit and responsibility but benefit from a lowered level of risk. Plus, you’ll receive a comprehensive franchise package inclusive of support and training.
>> 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 Turtle Bay franchise in the UK?
If workdays spent running a popular Caribbean food franchise sound right up your street, you’ll be disappointed to discover that no, Turtle Bay doesn’t currently franchise in the UK. All Turtle Bay Caribbean social club restaurants are company-owned, but if you’re super keen to work under the Turtle Bay name, you could become an employee. Though there are no Turtle Bay franchise opportunities, this isn’t to say there aren’t other amazing opportunities with the company, ready to be discovered on the ethnic food franchise’s website.
The history of the Turtle Bay business
Turtle Bay was founded back in 2010, when Ajith Jayawickrema and Crispin Tweddell opened the first Turtle Bay Caribbean food restaurant in Milton Keynes. The following year, they launched a Southampton branch and, in 2012, they expanded into Nottingham. Bristol was the next city to welcome the laid-back eatery, and its success enabled the brand to open its first overseas site in Germany in 2016.
Today, there are 43 sites across the UK and two in Germany, employing approximately 1,500 people and generating a turnover of just under £70 million. Plus, a company called Piper (which also invested in hugely popular Mexican chain Las Iguanas invested £6 million into the restaurant franchise, enabling further expansion.
Turtle Bay’s central premise was inspired by an authentic Caribbean place to eat in Barbados, called Surfside, which founder Ajith adored. In the words of Turtle Bay, “At first glance, it’s just a hut on the sand! But Surfside is all about the experience. What was meant to be just one drink quickly became two. The cool, fresh cocktails laced with local rum were too sweet and delicious to resist - but it wasn’t just the rum that kept them there. It was the smiling bartender, Victor, who drew Ajith and his friends in. Victor wasn’t just mixin' drinks, he was making friends.”
Start a franchise in the restaurant sector today
If you love what you’ve learned about Turtle Bay but you’re still keen to find a franchise in the restaurant sector that you can invest with, growing a business as a franchisee, keep reading. Below, you’ll discover some of the best franchise investment opportunities for those who dream of becoming a restaurant manager...
1. Camile Thai
Camile Thai is a healthy and sustainable Thai restaurant chain, first founded in 2010 by Brody Sweeney. The innovative company puts the focus on bespoke tech, eat-in and delivery, and currently boasts 45+ locations across the UK and Ireland.
- Becoming a Camile Thai Kitchen franchisee: You don’t need any prior experience to invest, just a willingness to learn, grow and work hard.
- 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: You’ll complete a six-week training programme and then be supported with all manner of things, including site selection, staff recruitment, business planning, marketing and more.
2. Café Rouge
Café Rouge is a French casual dining brand offering its customers classic bistro cuisine, wine and coffee. Established in 1989, the franchise has grown substantially and now has over 90 restaurants in the UK, serving six million meals each year.
- Becoming a Café Rouge franchisee: The ideal franchisee should have a strong track record in the industry, a fantastic local network and long-term ambitions for the business.
- How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £350,000, with franchise fees of £25,000 and a total investment cost of £700,000.
- What you get for your investment: You’ll be fully supported in the establishing and developing of your franchise business’s brand, and helped with everything from site selection, to operations and employee training.
3. Pieminister
Pieminister is a producer and retailer of award-winning pies, with an online shop and a network of restaurant locations up and down the UK. Founded in 2003, Pieminister is a beloved name in its sub-sector with uniquely sustainable practices and an eye on the future.
- Becoming a Pieminister franchisee: You should be a highly motivated leader with solid operational experience (at least 5-10 years in the food and beverage industry). You should share the brand’s values and have liquid assets of at least £70,000.
- How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £70,000, with franchise fees of £17,500 and a total investment cost of £130,000.
- What you get for your investment: You’ll be assisted by Pieminister and retained franchise consultant Seeds Consulting. You’ll be helped with everything from site search to creating your business plan to training to marketing your franchise.
>> Read more:
- Get Cooking With These 7 Restaurant Franchises You Can Buy for £100,000
- Hummus Restaurants: The New Franchise Craze?
- Dessert Restaurants: What Franchises Are There in the UK?
- 8 Things to Ask Yourself Before Opening a Sushi Restaurant Franchise
- Run Your Own Vegetarian Restaurant
- Choosing a Concept for Your Restaurant
Restaurant franchise opportunities are a fantastic way to start running your own business
Restaurant franchising is a really great option for the food-loving entrepreneur in 2022. There’s a reason the business model came to prominence in the QSR sector - it works. To continue your research and find the perfect restaurant franchise for you (which is 100% out there, waiting for your investment), stay on Point Franchise. Discover how to start your own restaurant franchise, six tips for running a restaurant franchise and eight tips for marketing your restaurant franchise.
Cara Squires, writer