The business, which was the first UK QSR to introduce halal chicken in grilled and fried varieties at its Wembley branch, has undergone significant changes over the past two years under CEO Greg Milne.
Under his watch the Croydon-based operation has overhauled the brand with a fresh in-store design, which is currently being rolled out to outlets across the UK. It has also introduced in-store digital kiosks as well as creating a consumer-focused mobile app.
These improvements, combined with changes across the management team, have put the business in a strong position to commence its expansion programme, which recently added to its portfolio of locations with outlets in Carnoustie and Hemel Hempstead.
“In the UK alone we’re looking at growing to at least 66 stores this year,” according to Milne.
He added:” Our growth for the next three years is set at reaching 100 stores by 2027. It’s quite an aggressive transition from where we were two years ago to where we’ll be in three years.
“Our target area for growth in Europe is France, Germany and Ireland. We are also looking at Africa, because we’ve got a base there already,” he further noted.
Chicken Cottage anticipates existing franchise owners will expand their businesses with additional outlets in the UK. However, as part of the programme, it is looking to bring on a number of new franchisees.
Given Chicken Cottage’s 30-year legacy and its strong position in the QSR sector, as well as being recognised as one of the UK’s top 100 elite franchises, the company believes these attributes will fuel its growth.
A key location for the business is Kenya, where Express Kitchen, a subsidiary of Hass Petroleum, operates the franchise.
Express Kitchen opened its first location in 2022 and has now reached three stores. Bosses at Chicken Cottage have said the business aims to reach 50 stores in the next 10 years.
Sadaf Kazi, franchise development partner at Chicken Cottage, emphasised the strategic importance of these expansions.
She said: “Our focus is on sustainable growth and delivering an exceptional experience for our customers. The confidence our franchisees have in our brand is increasing, and we are dedicated to supporting them as we continue to expand our global presence.”
