icon / 24x24 / ic24-trending-up

Most searched right now

Veeno confirms Durham franchise opening, founded by Nino Caruso & Rodrigue Trouillet

Wine bar, restaurant
Written by Léna Lescot
italan dish

Add as a preferred source on Google

Exciting News: Veeno Expands in Durham

Veeno, the popular Italian wine café chain, has announced the opening of its newest location, Veeno Durham. This franchise will be operated by local partners Dan and Donna Lewis, who are committed to bringing the vibrant culture of Italian dining to their community. Founded by Nino Caruso and Rodrigue Trouillet, Veeno has gained recognition for its innovative “drink-and-dine” experience that merges authentic Sicilian wines with traditional Italian cuisine.

The Veeno franchise is distinguished by its unique offerings that revolve around the aperitivo culture, fostering a relaxed and social atmosphere designed for friends and family gatherings. The new site at The Riverwalk is set to open its doors in September and is anticipated to create up to 20 local jobs. This expansion not only demonstrates the brand’s commitment to local impact but also reinforces their strategy of collaborating with hands-on entrepreneurs eager to make a mark in their cities.

This announcement signals a strong indication of Veeno’s scalability and the brand’s clear market fit in the hospitality sector. As the franchise continues to grow, it provides a lucrative opportunity for aspiring franchisees to join a successful network that is continually generating momentum within the industry.

With strong foundations and a clear vision for the future, Veeno Durham is set to become a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic Italian dining experience.

Veeno is an Italian wine café franchise known for its unique drink-and-dine concept, offering a delightful blend of Sicilian wines and authentic Italian cuisine, creating a welcoming environment for social dining experiences. Their commitment to quality and local partnerships makes them a standout choice in the franchise market.

Veeno

Become the Next Franchisee

Veeno,
Italian Wine Bar & Kitchen

Liquid capital : £50,000

Intéressé par ce réseau ?

Register your interest

More industry news Food - Drink

charcuterie networking event with gourmet grazing table

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.

indoor catering buffet with social gathering

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.

fresh catering buffet with friendly server

Leadership

Graze Craze’s global growth is led by President Cory Hibbard, named to FranchiseVoice’s Top 100 Franchise Influencers
for 2026. Under his leadership the brand has strung together 20 consecutive quarters of growth and expanded into new
international markets — including England.

“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

In England, franchisees have a hands-on local partner. “This is a proven, international brand arriving in England at
exactly the right moment,” says 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.”

Behind them sits the wider United Franchise Group — shared services across real estate, construction, financing,
training and marketing — so franchisees are supported at every stage, from signing to opening and beyond.