Shish Cafe

Shish Cafe started in 2016 with one goal: serve the best pizza in town. It became the No.1 pizza spot in Rochdale, then grew to four stores across Greater Manchester, with over 20,000 pizzas sold every month and 5-star hygiene ratings across the board. The founder started as an employee and built the brand from the bottom up, so the systems were made by someone who has done every job in the business. The menu covers pizzas, grills, curries, burgers, wraps and desserts, so a whole table can order from one place.

That’s what keeps families, friends and students coming back. Five formats, including a cloud kitchen entry point under £100,000, make it easy to find a model that fits your site and budget.

Our mission:

To bring great food at fair prices to every community, and to grow Shish Cafe into a recognised UK brand.

The Concept

Shish Cafe is a restaurant and takeaway in one, with delivery on top. A site can run as a fast, efficient takeaway and as a comfortable sit-in restaurant, so you earn from dine-in, collection and delivery from the same kitchen. The menu is built around pizzas, grilled dishes and curries, with burgers, wraps and traditional and modern desserts alongside. The range is big enough that the whole group can order from one place, and we keep adding trending items to stay current. Limited-time menus for cultural holidays and big events give regulars something new to come back for.

At a Glance

• Established: 2016
• Current estate: 4 stores (Rochdale, Oldham, Cheetham Hill, Longsight)
• Site formats: High street unit, kiosk / container, mall inline, delivery and cloud kitchen, drive-thru
• Ideal customer: Families, friends, students and couples looking for quality food at fair prices
• Target locations: Birmingham, Blackburn, Bolton, Bradford, Burnley, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London

The Investment

• Franchise fee: £20,000 + VAT
• Total estimated investment: £100,000 to £200,000, including fit-out and equipment. Delivery and cloud kitchen sites come in under £100,000. The final figure depends on site and size.
• Ongoing fees: 4% royalty plus 1% marketing contribution
• Funding: Not available through us, but many franchisees secure high street bank finance, subject to status. We can advise.

Store Performance

Flagship store figures:

• Typical monthly sales: £100,000
• Profit margin: 12% to 15%

These figures reflect our flagship store. Results vary by location, format, management and footfall, and earnings are not guaranteed. Full performance data is shared with qualified applicants.

Training & Support

• Hands-on training in operations and food preparation
• Social media marketing training
• Help with site selection and fit-out guidance
• Full operations manual
• EPOS system included
• National and local marketing support
• Reliable supply chain and supplier networks
• Ongoing guidance to maintain standards and grow
• Clear route to opening, from application and a visit to the shop through to the franchise agreement, site, fit-out and launch 

Marketing & Social Media

Shish Cafe has a strong local reputation, built on being the No.1 pizza spot in Rochdale and on word of mouth from communities that return week after week. Franchisees get national and local marketing support, plus social media marketing training so you can promote your own site. Limited-time menus for cultural holidays and events give you regular campaign moments, and the #LovePizza #LoveShish branding gives customers a hashtag to share.

Who We’re Looking For

We want motivated partners who want to grow with us and uphold the Shish Cafe standard. That includes first-time entrepreneurs, experienced operators, multi-unit developers, investors and owner-operators.

You should be:

• Passionate about food and the skills of the food trade
• Strong at leadership and team management
• Ambitious to expand (multi-unit openings are welcome)

Before you sign, you’ll visit one of our shops and speak with the owner, so you know exactly what you’re joining.

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