HERO BRANDS SET TO OPEN 223 NEW LOCATIONS DURING 2022

HERO BRANDS is set to open up to 223 new locations across its growing F&B division during 2022.

The Scottish-headquartered group is focused on building an eco-system of the brands of the future. Its portfolio includes German Doner Kebab, which has revolutionised the kebab in the UK, and is now forging ahead with expansion plans in the UK and globally, with 700 franchisees already signed-up to its growth strategy.

The group also includes Island Poké, the UK’s leading Poké operator; Choppaluna, the fast, fresh, food-to-go salad brand; Dirty Bones, the NYC-inspired food and cocktail concept; cutting-edge food technology operator Virtual Hero, which recently partnered with the Sidemen – Europe’s largest YouTube collective – to launch a new cloud-kitchen based mega food brand ‘Sides’; XIX Vodka, a premium drink which went viral, selling out its first batch in under a minute; and a growing portfolio of innovative fashion, health and media brands.

Under the UK and global plans, German Doner Kebab will open 106 new restaurants, Choppaluna (14), Island Poké (19), and Sides has plans to be available from a further 84 new locations by the end of the year throughout the UK, Europe and North America.

Hero Brands and Dirty Bones has also recently entered into a strategic partnership to extend the growth of the Dirty Bones concept.

Dirty Bones, the NYC-inspired food and cocktail concept, have partnered with Hero Brands in a move that will see the brand grow across the UK. From 2023 onwards, the partnership will enable the brand to increase its footprint through owner-operated sites, franchisees, and via delivery, with multiple locations expected within the coming years.

To support the growth and development, Hero Brands has recently moved into a new headquarters at Peel Park in East Kilbride, Scotland.

The group has also been making moves to strengthen its leadership team since the start of 2022, recently appointing Salman Siddiqui as its new Group Corporate Development Director, to provide further impetus to its ambitious plans to create a portfolio of cross-category, genre-defining brands of the future.

Andrew Brattesani, Head of Franchising at HSBC, has also joined as Board Advisor to support the leadership team.

Imran Sayeed, CEO of Hero Brands, said: “From our headquarters in Scotland we have developed a stable of rapidly growing brands of the future that are truly disrupting their respective categories.

“Consumer trends are changing, people want to have a great and affordable dining experience and be entertained too – our brands respond to this through our ethos of connecting music, food and fashion.

“2022 is proving to be a huge landmark year for our brands as we drive forward with our global growth plans, opening over 200 new locations and bringing greater disruption across the F&B space.

“We have also made moves to strengthen our leadership team which will be crucial for us in building on our growth whilst helping us to identify and develop new brands and opportunities that align with the progressive and transformative vision of Hero Brands.”

Andrew Brattesani added: “I am delighted to be working alongside the talented leadership team at Hero Brands.

“I am looking forward to developing this extensive portfolio of game-changing brands and bring their exciting offerings to consumers throughout the globe.”