Grounded Kitchen

About Grounded Kitchen

Grounded Kitchen was founded in Leicester in 2017 by Ahmed Kidy. The Midlands-based restaurant concept specialises in Korean-inspired food, combining fresh vegetables, rice, proteins and bold marinades in customisable meals. Its original signature offering was the nourish bowl, designed to appeal to customers seeking convenient, balanced food.

The menu has developed to include Korean-inspired rice bowls, wraps, udon noodles, açaí bowls and other freshly prepared dishes. Grounded Kitchen expanded across the Midlands and into locations including Gateshead and High Wycombe. After reaching 14 restaurants in early 2024, the business experienced several closures and now lists nine UK sites. Its franchise proposition focuses on community-led restaurants supported by technology, operational systems and centralised expertise. The current partnership programme offers a turnkey approach covering site selection, design, construction, recruitment, training and launch support.

Why franchise with Grounded Kitchen

• ✓Join an established British fast-casual brand specialising in fresh, Korean-inspired food.
• ✓Serve customisable rice bowls, wraps and noodles with bold flavours and fresh ingredients.
• ✓Appeal to customers seeking convenient meals with vegetables, protein and balanced nutrition.
• ✓Benefit from assistance with site selection, restaurant design, construction and opening.
• ✓Access staff training, supplier relationships, operational systems and marketing support.
• ✓Explore single-site or multi-unit ownership with a brand focused on local communities.

Investment breakdown

Minimum investment	£250,000
Maximum investment	£420,000
Franchise fee	£30,000
Management service fee	5%
Marketing contribution	1%-2%
Agreement term	5 years

What's expected of a franchisee

Property requirements

Grounded Kitchen has historically operated quick-service restaurants of approximately 1,500 sq ft and larger dining venues of around 2,200 sq ft, some with more than 50 seats. Suitable premises include busy high streets, retail destinations and locations with strong residential or workplace catchments. Restaurants require food preparation areas, refrigeration, storage, customer service facilities and appropriate extraction. The current partnership model includes assistance with site selection, design and construction.

Training and support

Grounded Kitchen’s current partnership programme offers support with finding premises, restaurant design, construction, recruitment and staff training. Franchisees also receive guidance on suppliers, menus, operating systems and financial performance. Launch assistance includes marketing activity to introduce the restaurant to its local community. Historically, the franchise package also included operational audits, new product development, business reviews and ongoing advice.

Operational requirements

Franchisees manage daily food preparation, staffing, customer service, hygiene, stock control and financial performance. Teams prepare ingredients and sauces in-store while assembling made-to-order meals according to approved recipes. Operators must maintain food safety and allergen procedures, monitor labour and ingredient costs, and ensure consistent product quality. Additional responsibilities include equipment maintenance, delivery orders, local marketing, customer feedback and compliance with brand standards.

Experience required

Grounded Kitchen’s current partnership website states that previous foodservice experience is not essential. The brand seeks enthusiastic applicants with strong people skills, commercial awareness and a commitment to their local community. Franchisees should be capable of leading a team, maintaining operating standards and managing business finances. Hospitality or multi-site experience may be advantageous for larger development plans. Applicants must demonstrate suitable investment capital and the ability to meet their financial commitments.

Territory availability

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