Sides Fried Chicken Chain Unveils Major Expansion Strategy for 2026
The popular Sides fried chicken chain, founded by the influential YouTube group the Sidemen, has issued a significant update regarding its future operations in the United Kingdom. The brand has announced ambitious plans to expand its presence with 15 additional restaurants scheduled to open across the UK throughout 2026.
Building on Strong Momentum and International Growth
Launched in 2021 through a partnership with Scottish-based food franchise firm Hero Brands, Sides has experienced rapid growth. The chain currently operates five locations in the UK, situated in Essex, Manchester, London, Kent, and the Merry Hill shopping centre near Birmingham. Additionally, it successfully launched its first international site in Singapore last year.
Aaron Moore-Saxton, Managing Director at Sides, emphasized the company's commitment to growth. "This is all about doubling down on growth for Sides during 2026," he stated. "We're seeing incredible momentum in the UK and rising demand internationally, which gives us real confidence in the next phase of our journey."
Targeted UK and Global Market Expansion
The expansion strategy includes a significant increase in the brand's UK footprint, with new sites confirmed for Glasgow, Wales, and Liverpool. Beyond domestic growth, Sides plans to enter new international markets, including India, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In a joint statement, the Sidemen expressed their enthusiasm for the next steps. "We are seriously hyped to take this next step and bring even more people into our Sides journey," they said. "For us, it's always been about bold flavours, great food, good energy, and sharing moments that go way beyond. This is honestly just the start."
Delivery Services and Future Location Development
Currently, Sides offers delivery services from its existing restaurants through major platforms like Deliveroo, UberEats, and JustEat. The chain advises customers to search for "Sides" on these apps to check delivery availability in their area.
The company remains actively engaged in seeking new locations both within the UK and internationally. To keep the public informed about upcoming announcements, Sides encourages followers to monitor its official social media channels for the latest updates on restaurant openings and brand developments.
