The popular YouTube group, The Sidemen, has revealed their ambitious plan to launch 15 new fried chicken restaurants within the year. Established in 2021 by The Sidemen in collaboration with Hero Brands, Sides has already established its presence with five locations in Essex, Manchester, London, Kent, and Birmingham, along with an international branch in Singapore.
Expanding their reach across the UK, Sides aims to open new outlets in Scotland, Cardiff, and Liverpool. Additionally, the brand intends to further penetrate the Asian and Middle Eastern markets by introducing new restaurants in India, Malaysia, Singapore, and the UAE, building upon the success of their first international venture in Singapore.
The Sidemen, comprising renowned personalities like KSI, Wroetoshaw, Miniminter, Vikkstar123, Zerkaa, Behzinga, and TBJZL, boast a substantial subscriber base of 22 million. Sides has garnered positive reviews, with customers praising the food as “incredible” and the chicken as “crispy and scrumptious.”
Aaron Moore-Saxton, the managing director at Sides, expressed enthusiasm about the brand’s growth plans for 2026, emphasizing the increasing demand both in the UK and internationally. The Sidemen collectively shared their excitement about the brand’s expansion, highlighting their commitment to offering bold flavors, great food, and memorable experiences.
In a competitive market, Sides joins a wave of chicken brands rapidly expanding in the UK, alongside Popeyes, Wingstop, and Dave’s Hot Chicken. Popeyes, supported by private equity firm TDR Capital, recently announced its strategy to continue opening new restaurants, targeting key locations such as travel hubs. Similarly, Wingstop UK, acquired for approximately £400 million, has also witnessed rapid growth in recent times.
This expansion signifies a significant milestone for The Sidemen’s culinary venture, Sides, as they strive to bring their unique flavors to a broader audience both domestically and globally.
