Big milestone for Local Eats
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Local Eats Expands Into the Republic of Ireland
After achieving remarkable success by selling over 150 franchises across the UK, Local Eats is thrilled to announce its official launch in the Republic of Ireland this April. Having earned the title of the UK’s fastest selling franchise in 2022, the brand is set to bring its innovative local food ordering platform to even more customers in Ireland.
Local Eats began as a simple solution to local food ordering challenges but has transformed into an expansive network dedicated to empowering local businesses. By offering a platform that allows restaurants and eateries to compete with larger corporations, Local Eats has successfully bridged the gap for aspiring entrepreneurs who dream of running their own food ordering service.
The overwhelming response from the Irish market has been nothing short of incredible, and the Local Eats team is excited to watch the next stage of growth unfold. A huge credit goes to the dedicated team, franchise partners, and everyone involved in building this dynamic brand over the last few years. Exciting times lie ahead for Local Eats as they continue their journey to revolutionize the food ordering industry!
Franchise Local Eats
Local Eats is an innovative food ordering platform dedicated to supporting local businesses while allowing entrepreneurs to establish and operate their own food delivery services. Emerging as the fastest selling franchise in the UK, Local Eats combines technology with strong community support, making it an attractive option for those passionate about food and entrepreneurship. Visit their website at www.lexpress-franchise.com to learn more about joining this exciting franchise opportunity.
Local EatsBecome the Next Franchisee
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Veeno confirms opening date for new Northallerton wine bar
Italian wine bar and kitchen concept Veeno will open its new location in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, on 15 October 2026, at the Treadmills leisure and retail development.
Operated by franchisee Chris Fernandes, the venue will bring a taste of Sicily to the local community, combining wines from the Caruso & Minini family vineyard with authentic Italian dishes, including fresh pasta, Roman-style pinsa and sharing boards.
The new opening will also offer guided wine-tasting experiences and Italian aperitivo, creating a destination for casual dining and socialising. To celebrate the launch, Veeno is offering customers the chance to win a trip to Sicily, including a visit to its family vineyard in Marsala.
England launch
Graze Craze®, the international charcuterie-and-grazing franchise, is opening in England — and recruiting its first
founding franchisees across 190 protected territories. Part of United Franchise Group (UFG), the global franchisor
operating in more than 80 countries, the brand arrives on the back of one of its strongest years yet.
In the first half of 2026, Graze Craze reported a 65% year-on-year rise in same-store sales and closed the quarter on its
20th consecutive quarter of growth. It opened 23 new locations in six months, taking it past 130 worldwide with a
target of 150 by year-end and 42 more in development. The brand was also named to Franchise Direct’s 2026 Top 100
Franchises, and confirmed international expansion with newly signed master licences for England and Guyana.
Our continued growth reflects a shift in how people think about catering — and we’re having a lot of fun
leading that change.
Cory Hibbard, President, Graze Craze
That shift is being driven, in part, by younger consumers. “We’re seeing this big shift right now with millennials and Gen
Z in bringing back a desire or interest in hosting,” Hibbard has said. “People have a stronger desire for a sense of
community and gathering than they’ve had in a very long time.” It is a trend with real commercial weight: the UK
catering market is estimated to be worth in excess of £12 billion, with corporate and event catering a significant and
growing share.
For England, the opportunity is a genuine ground-floor one. This is a proven, international brand arriving in England at
exactly the right moment,”said Kishan Kotecha, Managing Director of Graze Craze England. “Our founding franchisees
get first choice of 190 protected territories, a model that needs no culinary background, and the backing of a franchisor
with 40 years of experience behind it. We’re building this deliberately and hands-on, with the right partners around our
owners.”
Graze Craze makes premium boards, boxes and grazing tables to order — for individuals, corporate clients and events.
With no hot kitchen or heavy fit-out, the cost to open is typically lower than a traditional restaurant, and a new location
can be open within around four to six months of signing.
Backed by a global franchisor
Graze Craze England is the England arm of Graze Craze®, part of United Franchise Group (UFG) — an established global franchisor operating in more than 80 countries through its food division, Big Flavor Brands™. For a new franchisee, that heritage matters: proven systems, training, and support from day one.
It also means real infrastructure behind the brand. Real estate, construction and financing are largely handled in-house, and franchisees are guided through the process step by step. “The beautiful thing about being a young brand is that we get to lean on our shared services team amongst our brands,” says Graze Craze President Cory Hibbard.
“We certainly have the benefit of 40 years of franchising experience … we get to lean on our shared services team amongst our brands.” — Cory Hibbard, President, Graze Craze
The group’s momentum is clear. Six UFG brands were named to Franchise Direct’s 2026 Top 100 Franchises — Graze Craze among them at #61 — and in the first half of 2026 UFG’s affiliated brands opened 105 new locations and signed 148 franchise agreements worldwide.
For England, the opportunity is a ground-floor one: first choice of 190 protected territories, a model that needs no culinary background, and a new location open in around four to six months of signing.