Cosmo

About Cosmo

Cosmo is a British buffet restaurant group established by Tom Chan in 2003. Its family-friendly Cosmo Authentic World Kitchen restaurants serve dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world, with live cooking stations offering food theatre alongside a broad buffet selection. The supplied profile reports 22 UK Cosmo locations and expansion into smaller and alternative concepts. Little Cosmo debuted in Newcastle in 2022, while Umami World Kitchen launched in Coventry in 2023. That Coventry site subsequently became Smokin’ Hot Buffet and Grill; the group has also announced a premium concept called Firebird. Cosmo opened in Preston in July 2025 and reported plans to add three to six restaurants annually, subject to suitable sites. Further Umami locations and leases have been announced, but planned openings should not be counted as trading restaurants. The profile describes property-led growth but does not establish that Cosmo is currently offering franchises.

Why franchise with Cosmo

• ✓Serve a wide range of international dishes in one family-friendly buffet dining experience.
• ✓Create theatre through live cooking stations, including teppanyaki and freshly grilled dishes.
• ✓Build on a British restaurant concept established in 2003 with 22 reported Cosmo UK sites.
• ✓Appeal to families and groups seeking variety, accessible prices and a sociable atmosphere.
• ✓Explore a group with several concepts, including Little Cosmo, Umami and the planned Firebird.
• ✓Benefit from an established focus on high-footfall locations and ambitious UK growth plans.

Investment breakdown

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

What's expected of a franchisee

Property requirements

Cosmo seeks locations with strong footfall where large, family-friendly buffet restaurants can become part of the community. The concept requires space for dining, multiple cuisine stations and live cooking, although minimum unit size and technical specifications are not supplied. The group agreed a 15-year lease on a 16,000 sq ft Newcastle unit for its planned Firebird flagship; this is not a standard Cosmo requirement. Property selection is supported by agent Savills.

Training and support

The supplied profile describes Cosmo’s restaurant concepts, customer experience and expansion strategy but provides no formal franchise training package. It does not specify initial training, kitchen or service instruction, launch assistance, operational manuals or ongoing franchise support. The group has an experienced operations leadership team, but this should not be presented as a confirmed franchisee service. Prospective partners would need to ask directly about any training arrangements.

Operational requirements

Cosmo restaurants operate an extensive international buffet with live cooking stations and a family-friendly dining atmosphere. Day-to-day management would involve food safety, kitchen teams, chefs, front-of-house service, replenishment, staffing and cost control. The wider group also operates or develops smaller and differentiated dining concepts. The supplied profile does not disclose franchise operating standards, minimum staffing, trading hours, royalties or supplier obligations.

Experience required

The supplied information does not describe franchisee selection criteria or confirm that external franchise applications are currently accepted. Running a large buffet restaurant would require substantial hospitality, kitchen and people-management capability, but no mandatory experience threshold is stated. The group has discussed expansion through suitable properties and new concepts rather than publishing a franchise offer. Financial qualifications and partner requirements remain undisclosed.