Yolk Brands, the creator of popular concepts like Pickl, has sealed the UAE’s largest-ever franchise agreement by a homegrown QSR brand. Partnering with City Restaurants Group, the deal will see BonBird, a premium fried chicken concept, launch in the UK. The ambitious five-year plan will bring 50 BonBird outlets to key cities across the UK, with the first five opening within the first year.
Founded in 2023 by Steve Flawith, BonBird quickly became a favourite in Dubai, known for its fresh, hormone-free fried chicken and East London-inspired vibe. With locations across the Middle East and Asia, the UK expansion marks a significant milestone in the brand’s global strategy.
BonBird is renowned for its unique offerings, including bone-in and boneless chicken, burgers, wraps, and tender bites, available in a range of spice levels. The brand has stood out in the competitive UAE market, providing both quality and value, with Snackawraps priced from AED 9.
The franchise deal will be managed by City Restaurants Group, which operates brands such as Afrikana and Mowchi. CEO Omair Ali expressed excitement about the brand’s potential, highlighting its unique selling proposition of fresh, premium chicken that will attract UK customers.
Steve Flawith, Founder and CEO of Yolk Brands, said, “Bringing BonBird to the UK is a proud moment for myself and everyone at Yolk Brands; it’s a bit like a homecoming for me in many ways. We’ve always believed in the global potential of the brand and this moment validates that vision. In City Restaurants Group we know we’ve found the perfect partner to share in our passion for amazing fresh fried chicken. This is just the beginning and I can’t wait to fulfill our vision for this amazing concept.”
“This transaction took us over a year to complete, but it now stands as one of the largest development schedules we have signed globally,” said Richard Kay, CEO of Presman & Colard, the company that helped scale this expansion.
Conclusively, the UK debut is part of BonBird’s larger global expansion, with plans for the Indian market and more locations in Europe and Asia.
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