21.

Creams

Founded: 2008
Sites: 98

Investment fund Salonica Maroon and majority shareholder Pistachio Holdings operate the dessert brand that has seen significant growth in recent years. In August 2023 it signed a nationwide franchise agreement with Tesco Family Dining Limited with the first Tesco Café-run Creams opening at Tesco Extra Gateshead in Newcastle. A recent expansion drive will see the brand aim for 300 stores in the UK over the next five years and there are also plans to expand internationally within Asia and the Gulf states. New locations for the brand include Bristol, Redhill, and Maidstone, with a site in Cardiff due to open soon.

22.

Prezzo

Founded: 2000
Sites: 96 (97)

Launched on New Oxford Street, the first Prezzo was actually called Jonathan’s after founder Jonathan Kaye. In its prime the brand had more than 300 sites – opening 34 sites in 2007 alone – but has struggled in more recent years, closing 94 restaurants in 2018. In 2023 it restructured, closing another third of its estate but is now looking to grow again. The brand is also exploring the launch of a retail range in the next 12-18 months, as it looks to leverage brand awareness across multiple channels. At the start of 2024 the group announced a return to profitability following a restructure of its business that saw it close nearly a third of its estate the previous year and in August the Italian restaurant chain reported profit before tax was £5.5m, compared to a loss before tax of £31.6m the previous year, and adjusted EBITDA of £2.2m, compared to a loss of £5m in 2022, for the 52 weeks to 31 December 2023. The brand says it intends to refurbish its restaurant estate over the next couple of years as well as introduce a breakfast menu and a new retail range.

23.

Morley's

Founded: 1985
Sites: 94 (98)

The family-run fried chicken shop opened its doors on Sydenham High Street and has been run by Shan Selvendran since 2009 but was founded by his Sr-Lankan born father Kannalingham. The chain has gained cult status with one of its restaurants appearing in Croydon-born musician Stormzy’s Big for your Boots music video and the brand also joined forces with Heinz to create a limited-edition Fred Chicken sauce that was served at a pop-up at Double Standard in London.

24.

Favorite Fried Chicken

Founded: 1986
Sites: 89

Launched in London, Favorite Fried Chicken is largely based in the capital and the South but has a handful of locations in the Midlands and the North and a growing number of sites in Wales. The menu is classic chicken shop fare, but some stores also offer BBQ ribs (the business was launched as Favorite Chicken & Ribs). Favorite Fried Chicken says it is currently looking to grow its brand through larger key partnerships, as well as its traditional franchise base.  

25.

Chaiiwala

Founded: 1927
Sites: 89

While its history dates back more than 100 years, the Chaiiwala of today launched in Leicester in 2016 to make chai and Indian street food more widely available. The company is working towards its aim with the opening of more than 110 stores internationally over the past eight or so years and plans for many more sites. The brand has signed a deal with EG Group to substantially expand its drive-thru estate over the next three years having opened its second drive thru site outside Blackburn, in Mellorbrook, in July 2024 and aims to reach the 400-500-site mark in the UK in the coming years, according to co-founder Sohail Ali. It also operates an airport site at London Luton Airport and is targeting major travel hubs as part of its expansion.

26.

Stonehouse Pizza and Carvery

Founded:
Sites: 87 (91)

Pizza and carvery restaurant brand Stonehouse is part of pub giant Mitchells & Butlers with locations across the country. The brand serves an all-day menu that majors on pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and carvery.

27.

Itsu

Founded: 1997
Sites: 80 (74)

The healthy Asian food brand was launched by Pret co-founder Julian Metcalfe as an Eastern equivalent to his sandwich-based grab and go concept. The brand serves a range of sushi and salads, rice and noodle bowls and gyoza and bao and is typically located in high footfall areas. Itsu been at the forefront of taking an omnichannel approach and in April 2023 appointed former Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King to help grow it retail sales from £60m to £100m by 2025. In 2024, Itsu opened seven new stores across the UK and France, including Manchester Trafford Centre, Fenchurch Street, Monument, Bond Street Station, and Oxford Street.

28.

Côte

Founded: 2007
Sites: 77 (82)

The brainchild of Strada founders Andy Bassadone and Chris Benians, Côte was launched to take on French brand Café Rouge and has stood the test of time in the near two decades it has been trading. The high-street brand has made a success of the challenging breakfast market and has long championed an accessible prix fixe menu that includes steak frites and chicken and chips, with three courses for less than £21. In 2020 it was bought out of administration by investment management firm Partners Group for £55m.

29.

Tim Hortons

Founded: 1964
Sites: 77

Tim Hortons takes its name from a Canadian hockey player and has built a cult following in Canada for its coffee and doughnut offer. The brand first entered the UK with micro sites in Spar supermarkets but joined the restaurant scene fully in 2017 with the opening of a full-service restaurant in Glasgow. Since then, the brand, which has a strong breakfast offer and which also serves a range of burgers, has targeted key high street locations and drive-thrus. In September 2023, it announced it would be launching a franchise model to further boost its presence over here. Tim Hortons is part of Restaurant Brands International, which also owns Burger King and Popeyes.

30.

Tortilla

Founded: 2007
Sites: 76 (75)

The Californian Mexican fast-food brand has been one of the QSR sector’s biggest success stories in recent years and has expanded steadily over the past 15 years. in July 2023 it reported a revenue increase of 22% year-on-year to £32.7m in the first half of 2023 and operated a number of SSP franchise sites in travel hubs. In May 2020 the group purchased rival brand Chilango in a deal worth up to £2.75m and currently operates six sites under the brand in addition to its 75 Tortilla sites.