Cabana

About Cabana

Cabana is a Brazilian-inspired casual dining and barbecue concept established in 2012 by Jamie Barber and David Ponte. Known for its Rio street-food influences, the brand underwent a restructuring after entering administration in 2019, with five London restaurants acquired by Barber. It subsequently formed part of the Hush Collection alongside Haché. In January 2025, Cherry Equity Partners, led by Ed Standring, completed the acquisition of Cabana, outlining plans for a new phase of growth. At the time of the deal, the brand reported three London restaurants in Covent Garden, Westfield Stratford and The O2, alongside two franchised sites in the Middle East. Cabana has previously partnered with Al Hokair to develop restaurants in Saudi Arabia, opening its first Riyadh site in 2021. The brand combines Brazilian-inspired food with a lively, drinks-led dining experience.

Why franchise with Cabana

• ✓Brazilian-inspired barbecue and Rio street-food positioning gives Cabana a distinctive identity.
• ✓Three reported London restaurants provide an established base for the brand’s next phase.
• ✓Two reported Middle East franchise sites demonstrate experience with international partners.
• ✓New ownership since January 2025 has outlined ambitions to develop and grow the business.
• ✓A lively, drinks-led casual dining format offers a proposition beyond food alone.
• ✓An existing Saudi franchise relationship provides experience of operating across markets.

Investment breakdown

Management service fee	On request
Marketing contribution	On request
Agreement term	On request

What's expected of a franchisee

Property requirements

Cabana operates Brazilian-inspired casual dining restaurants with a barbecue and drinks-led proposition. At the January 2025 acquisition, its reported London estate comprised sites in Covent Garden, Westfield Stratford and The O2. These illustrate the brand’s presence in busy urban, shopping and leisure destinations, but no formal franchise property criteria were supplied. Minimum floor area, extraction, kitchen specifications, seating capacity and site approval requirements need confirmation.

Training and support

The supplied information describes Cabana’s international franchise partnership with Saudi Arabian hospitality group Al Hokair, but does not set out a current franchise training package. Historical brand investment included menu development, graphic design, tableware, music and uniforms. Prospective partners should ask the new owners to confirm any initial training, opening assistance, operational manuals, supply-chain arrangements and ongoing field or marketing support before proceeding.

Operational requirements

Cabana is a Brazilian-inspired barbecue and casual dining business with an emphasis on a lively, drinks-led experience. The brand has previously refreshed its menus, visual identity, tableware, music and uniforms as part of investment in its London restaurants. Its reported estate at the January 2025 acquisition included three London sites and two Middle East franchises. Staffing models, licensing requirements, opening hours, suppliers and franchise operating standards have not been supplied.

Experience required

Cabana has worked with an established Saudi Arabian hospitality operator for its international franchise development, suggesting experience in restaurant operations may be relevant. However, the supplied information does not specify the current owners’ eligibility criteria for prospective franchisees. Applicants should confirm whether the business is accepting franchise enquiries and ask about required hospitality experience, financial capacity, multi-site capability and territory availability.