Specialist business advisory firm, FRP Corporate Finance, has been appointed to assess potential partners
As part of the sale process, FRP Corporate Finance is also marketing Denny’s proof of concept store, which opened at Parc Tawe in Swansea in 2017. That diner provides a full omnichannel model, with a loyal local dine-in customer base, supported by a bespoke loyalty app and a range of delivery services, including Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat. It is co-located with complementary retailers and experiences such as Odeon Cinema, Ninja Warrior and Ten Pin Bowling.
Supporting more than 13,500 dine-in orders each year, the Swansea site has generated strong margins and provides the basis for franchise investors to bring the Denny’s brand to city centres, airports, service stations and drive-thru sites across the UK.
Established in 1953, Denny’s operates in 15 countries – including in Australasia, South East Asia, the Middle East, South America and North America, where it has more than 1,300 restaurants. More than 95% of its operations are franchised. A recent UK sentiment survey rated Denny’s ahead of brands including Nando’s, Pizza Express, Five Guys and Wagamama as a preferred dining experience for consumers.
As Alex Patey, Director at FRP Corporate Finance, put it: “Denny’s is one of the most iconic names in global casual dining, with a proven model that combines strong consumer appeal, affordable family dining and scalable unit economics. The Swansea diner has already demonstrated the household brand’s potential in the UK, and with clear opportunities across high streets, airports, service stations and drive-thru sites – as well as to introduce new models including self-service – we expect strong interest from ambitious operators looking to bring the Denny’s experience to more UK consumers in a segment where this type of offering has been lacking for many years.”
