Urban Chocolatier

About Urban Chocolatier

London dessert concept Urban Chocolatier is aiming for 50 UK stores by 2030, having opened ten “successful locations” across London. Founded in 2013 by the Ali brothers, Sadaq and Waqas, it offers gelato, French toast, cookie dough, crepes, pancakes, waffles, sundaes and drinks including milkshakes and mocktails. It is seeking to bring new franchisees on board in order to reach its 50-store aim. The company is working on its first out-of-London store, in Cardiff, and is looking to set up in other major UK cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bradford, Leeds, Brighton, Coventry, Liverpool, Reading, Southampton, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Leicester and Derby. “With ten successful locations in London and a plan to expand nationwide, we’re looking for passionate individuals to join us on this sweet journey,” the business said. “This is your chance to own a business with a proven track record and capitalise on the ever-growing demand for high-quality desserts and coffee. The goal is to establish The Urban Chocolatier as the leading luxury dessert chain in the UK and beyond. We are always on the lookout for excellent people and organisations with drive, passion and the skills needed to succeed in the dynamic coffee and dessert marketplace.”

Why franchise with Urban Chocolatier

• ✓Initial investment is £200,000-£250,000, plus a £17,500 +VAT franchise fee. Management service is 5% of gross sales and marketing levy 1% of gross sales. Funding support is available and a return on investment expected in one to two years. It is an initial ten-year franchise agreement, with flexible renewal terms to be agreed. Property criteria is 1,700-3,000 square feet in high footfall areas such as tourist areas and malls. The business also offers a range of options to cater to individual investments, providing flexibility to franchisees. These include kiosk (works well for shopping centres, cinemas and airports, capitalising on high footfall traffic, as well as exploiting a significant delivery territory); dessert cafe (fuses beautiful interior design with eat-in, takeaway and delivery options and is committed to quality customer experiences and quick service for profitable results); and flagship restaurant (a fully-fledged dessert restaurant system capable of accommodating over 100 covers with a focus is on customer service while still benefiting from takeaway and delivery trade). The Urban Chocolatier provides comprehensive training and support including management training, staff recruitment and extensive staff training, as well as assistance with marketing and planning the grand opening of the site. The head office team will be on hand throughout, helping with running the business and maximising earnings. Comprehensive training materials are provided along with an operations manual. The head office team will also help with site selection and provide property negotiation support. Franchisees will also benefit from continuous product development and operational support, and there is even a dedicated influencer marketing programme. The company said: “Starting your own Urban Chocolatier franchise is more accessible than ever. With a minimum investment of £200,000 +VAT and government-led funding available, you can kickstart your entrepreneurial journey with ease. Whether you're looking for a full-time gig or a part-time venture, we’ve got options to suit your lifestyle. From comprehensive training to marketing assistance, our dedicated team will be with you every step of the way. You’ll get everything you need to run your Urban Chocolatier business like a pro.”

Investment breakdown