Centenary Lounge
Founded in Birmingham in 2009, Centenary Lounge is an Art Deco-inspired café franchise offering elegant food and drink experiences across station, express and high street formats.
About Centenary Lounge
Centenary Lounge was created by Aasia Baig, who opened its first café at Birmingham Moor Street station in 2009, marking the station’s centenary. Inspired by the glamour of 1930s Great Western Railway refreshment rooms, the brand offers an accessible luxury setting for coffee, brunch, afternoon tea and cocktails. It expanded to Birmingham Snow Hill in 2012, Worcester in 2019, Leamington Spa and Taunton in December 2024; the Worcester café closed in spring 2025. Its franchise proposition spans station kiosks, Express Lounges and larger First Class Lounges, with formats suited to travel hubs and high streets. Additional revenue opportunities include delivery, collection, gift experiences, vouchers, subscriptions, hampers and railway-inspired giftware. Franchisees receive help with site selection, design, fit-out, training, recruitment and marketing.
Why franchise with Centenary Lounge
- A distinctive 1930s Art Deco railway theme creates a memorable café experience for customers.
- Three formats offer options for travel hubs, busy high streets and compact takeaway locations.
- Coffee, brunch, afternoon tea and cocktails provide opportunities across different dayparts.
- Gift experiences, vouchers, subscriptions and hampers offer additional revenue opportunities.
- Four weeks of training is complemented by recruitment, payroll and ongoing staff support.
- Site selection, lease assistance, Art Deco design and launch marketing support new operators.
Investment breakdown
| Minimum investment | £168,000 |
|---|---|
| Maximum investment | £239,000 |
| Management service fee | On request |
| Marketing contribution | On request |
| Agreement term | On request |
What's expected of a franchisee
Property requirements
Centenary Lounge offers a standalone takeaway kiosk for stations, airports and shopping centres; an Express Lounge of around 750-1,000 sq ft with approximately 50 seats; and a First Class Lounge of around 1,500 sq ft with approximately 80 seats. Express sites suit rail and other transport hubs, while First Class Lounges are designed for high streets. The franchisor helps assess sites, negotiate leases and oversee fit-out in its distinctive 1930s Art Deco style.
Training and support
Centenary Lounge provides a four-week training programme, with initial and ongoing staff training. Support includes advertising for and recruiting employees, setting up payroll and HMRC processes, and guidance on preparing quality food without requiring a fully trained chef for every dish. The franchisor helps identify suitable premises, negotiate lease terms and manage legal work. It oversees Art Deco fit-out, supports funding enquiries and provides launch and year-round marketing.
Operational requirements
Franchisees run a Centenary Lounge kiosk, Express Lounge or First Class Lounge, with menus and service tailored to the format. Express Lounges offer a compact menu and some seating, while First Class Lounges have a fuller menu, table service and licensed drinks. Operators manage staffing, food quality, customer service and day-to-day trading. The brand also offers delivery, collection, vouchers and gifts. A trained chef is not always essential, but food skills are needed.
Experience required
Centenary Lounge has not specified mandatory previous hospitality experience or minimum financial qualifications. Franchisees should be able to manage a customer-facing café, recruit and supervise staff, maintain food quality and deliver the brand’s 1930s-inspired service and presentation. A trained chef is not essential for all dishes, but quality food preparation is required. The franchisor provides four weeks of training and support with recruitment, payroll, premises and marketing.
Request franchise information
Your details go straight to the Centenary Lounge franchise team. There's no cost to enquire.