Dope Burger

About Dope Burger

Dope Burger was established in Hull in 2011 by Oliver Johnson and has developed into a Yorkshire gourmet burger business serving customers through takeaway, delivery and limited dine-in formats. The brand’s online ordering directory lists five locations across Hull, Leeds and Doncaster.

In 2022, Dope Burger won a burger-themed episode of BBC Two’s Britain’s Top Takeaways, raising its national profile. That year, members of its team also travelled to the Polish border with Ukraine to provide hot meals to people fleeing the conflict. Johnson has developed additional delivery-only concepts, including Dope Dough, Wagwan Chicken and Boss Burritos.

The franchise proposition combines restaurant and dark kitchen options with a digital ordering system. Franchisees receive support with finding premises, restaurant design, equipment purchasing, marketing and training. The business offers an exclusive two-mile territory for each shop.

Why franchise with Dope Burger

• ✓Join a Yorkshire gourmet burger business established in 2011 with a recognised takeaway offer.
• ✓Build on the brand’s national exposure following its win on BBC Two’s Britain’s Top Takeaways.
• ✓Receive support with site selection, restaurant design, equipment purchasing and launch marketing.
• ✓Operate within an exclusive two-mile territory under the brand’s standard franchise agreement.
• ✓Use a digital ordering setup designed to bring together orders from several customer channels.
• ✓Consider a dark kitchen model that can operate from lower-cost premises without a dining area.

Investment breakdown

Minimum investment	£94,000
Franchise fee	£15,000
Management service fee	£1,000 per month
Marketing contribution	On request
Agreement term	5 years

What's expected of a franchisee

Property requirements

Dope Burger seeks premises suitable for a busy fast-food takeaway operation, with limited seating where appropriate. Its franchise offer also includes a dark kitchen model that can trade from lower-cost premises without a customer dining area. The franchisor assists with site selection, restaurant design and equipment purchasing. The stated £75,800 premises budget covers deposits, rent, planning, shopfront, kitchen, seating, EPOS, equipment and opening stock. 

Training and support

Dope Burger’s start-up package includes up to four days of pre-opening support and up to 12 days of initial training. Franchisees may also receive up to five days of onsite support and five days of offsite support after opening. Assistance extends to site selection, restaurant design, equipment purchasing and marketing strategies. The company says it will continue investing in its digital ordering technology and promotional activity to support the franchise network.

Operational requirements

Franchisees operate a busy gourmet burger takeaway, potentially with limited customer seating or through a delivery-focused dark kitchen. The digital ordering system brings in orders from multiple sources, requiring operators to manage preparation, fulfilment and customer service efficiently. Day-to-day responsibilities include staffing, food safety, stock control, maintaining product standards and local operations. Each shop operates within an exclusive two-mile territory.

Experience required

Dope Burger is seeking motivated franchisees who want to work in the fast-food takeaway sector and commit fully to developing their business. Applicants should be prepared to manage a busy kitchen, oversee staff, handle orders from several digital channels and maintain customer service standards. The franchisor provides initial training and opening support.