Another US fast food chain to open first UK location – it’s not Chick-fil-A or In-N-Out --[Reported by Umva mag]

THE UK’s fast food scene is set to welcome another American culinary sensation. We already know that Chick-fil-A and Dave’s Hot Chicken are opening restaurants in 2025, but a new contender is preparing to make its mark on British shores. Velvet Taco – restaurant View this post on Instagram A post shared by Velvet Taco (@velvettaco)Instagram / @velvettaco Tex-Mex brand Velvet Taco will make its UK debut next spring. As part of a new franchise agreement with Velvet UK, the brand will be opening its first restaurant in Piccadilly Circus, London. The diner has also confirmed opening more UK sites in the coming years. The taco brand was first launched in Dallas, Texas, in 2011 and now operates out of nearly 50 restaurants across the US. The brand’s signature dishes include its spicy tikka chicken taco with tenders, house-made tikka sauce, buttered coriander basmati rice, raita crema, and Thai basil. Another favourite is the London-inspired fish and chips taco, which includes beer-battered cod, curry aioli, fried vinegar, and Napa slaw. It also offers a WTF (weekly taco feature), where a new special is featured on the menu each week, along with sides like red curry coconut queso dip and elite guac. The taco chain is also famed for its double-layered red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting drizzled with house-made cajeta sauce – a slow-cooked Mexican caramel. The London venue will also serve up the chain’s popular frozen margaritas. Clay Dover, president and chief executive of Velvet Taco, said: “This is an exciting time for Velvet Taco. “When I joined the brand, we had just four locations. “To be a part of not only Velvet Taco’s growth to 50 locations in the U.S. but also our incredible international expansion into London is nothing short of remarkable. “We’re thrilled to select Piccadilly Circus as our first location, knowing that Velvet Taco will feel right at home in the vibrant, bustling area filled with global influences. “This growth reflects our commitment to reimagining the humble taco and our dedication to delivering global culinary experiences – now literally on an international scale!” The opening of the chain’s first UK store is expected to create 40 jobs. This expansion is part of a broader trend, which has seen several other major US restaurant chains making their way to British shores in recent months. What's on the menu? ALTHOUGH the specifics of Velvet Taco's UK menu remain under wraps, the following items have proved a hit in the US. Spicy tikka chicken A tantalising fusion of Indian and Mexican flavours, this taco features succulent chicken marinated in a rich tikka sauce, topped with crisp raita crema, Thai basil, and a hint of fresh coriander. Slow-Roasted angus brisket Indulge in tender, slow-cooked Angus brisket, complemented by a drizzle of smoky BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions, and creamy slaw, all nestled in a warm tortilla. Fish ‘n’ chips taco A delightful twist on a British classic, this taco includes crispy beer-battered cod, house-made jalapeño tartar sauce, and malted French fries. Nashville hot tofu For a spicy, vegetarian delight, try the Nashville Hot Tofu taco. It features crispy tofu coated in a fiery Nashville hot sauce, balanced with cool pickles and a touch of creamy ranch dressing. Korean pork Experience a burst of Asian-inspired flavours with the Korean Pork taco, featuring marinated pork, spicy kimchi, sesame seeds, and a sprinkle of fresh coriander, delivering a deliciously unique bite. Falafel Perfect for vegetarians, this taco includes crispy falafel, tahini crema, pickled red onions, Israeli salad, and a dash of sriracha for a satisfying and flavourful option. US FAST FOOD EXPANSION INTO THE UK American fast food giant Chick-fil-A is crossing the pond and bringing its beloved chicken sandwiches to our high streets next year. The Sun exclusively revealed the exact locations of their first five permanent UK restaurants. In July, Dave’s Hot Chicken announced plans to open 60 restaurants across the UK and Ireland. Popeyes entered the UK market in 2021 and has proved to be a hit with ravenous customers ever since. In just 30 months, the brand opened over 38 restaurants across the UK. It has plans to reach the 60-restaurant milestone by the end of 2024. US burger chain Wendy’s, which already has 31 sites in the UK, will also cut the ribbon on eight new locations this year. The chain returned to the UK high street in 2021 after a 20-year hiatus. Wendy’s is most famous for its square-shaped hamburgers, which are designed to maximise the amount of meat in every bite. Shake Shack, which started out as a hotdog cart, recently opened its first restaurant inside a UK train station. Brits commuting in St.

Oct 14, 2024 - 16:30

Another US fast food chain to open first UK location – it’s not Chick-fil-A or In-N-Out --[Reported by Umva mag]

THE UK’s fast food scene is set to welcome another American culinary sensation.

We already know that Chick-fil-A and Dave’s Hot Chicken are opening restaurants in 2025, but a new contender is preparing to make its mark on British shores.

a bottle of schweppes sits next to a table full of food — Velvet Taco – restaurant View this post on Instagram A post shared by Velvet Taco (@velvettaco)

Tex-Mex brand Velvet Taco will make its UK debut next spring.

As part of a new franchise agreement with Velvet UK, the brand will be opening its first restaurant in Piccadilly Circus, London.

The diner has also confirmed opening more UK sites in the coming years.

The taco brand was first launched in Dallas, Texas, in 2011 and now operates out of nearly 50 restaurants across the US.

The brand’s signature dishes include its spicy tikka chicken taco with tenders, house-made tikka sauce, buttered coriander basmati rice, raita crema, and Thai basil.

Another favourite is the London-inspired fish and chips taco, which includes beer-battered cod, curry aioli, fried vinegar, and Napa slaw.

It also offers a WTF (weekly taco feature), where a new special is featured on the menu each week, along with sides like red curry coconut queso dip and elite guac.

The taco chain is also famed for its double-layered red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting drizzled with house-made cajeta sauce – a slow-cooked Mexican caramel.

The London venue will also serve up the chain’s popular frozen margaritas.

Clay Dover, president and chief executive of Velvet Taco, said: “This is an exciting time for Velvet Taco.

“When I joined the brand, we had just four locations.

“To be a part of not only Velvet Taco’s growth to 50 locations in the U.S. but also our incredible international expansion into London is nothing short of remarkable.

“We’re thrilled to select Piccadilly Circus as our first location, knowing that Velvet Taco will feel right at home in the vibrant, bustling area filled with global influences.

“This growth reflects our commitment to reimagining the humble taco and our dedication to delivering global culinary experiences – now literally on an international scale!”

The opening of the chain’s first UK store is expected to create 40 jobs.

This expansion is part of a broader trend, which has seen several other major US restaurant chains making their way to British shores in recent months.

What's on the menu?

ALTHOUGH the specifics of Velvet Taco's UK menu remain under wraps, the following items have proved a hit in the US.

Spicy tikka chicken

A tantalising fusion of Indian and Mexican flavours, this taco features succulent chicken marinated in a rich tikka sauce, topped with crisp raita crema, Thai basil, and a hint of fresh coriander.

Slow-Roasted angus brisket

Indulge in tender, slow-cooked Angus brisket, complemented by a drizzle of smoky BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions, and creamy slaw, all nestled in a warm tortilla.

Fish ‘n’ chips taco

A delightful twist on a British classic, this taco includes crispy beer-battered cod, house-made jalapeño tartar sauce, and malted French fries.

Nashville hot tofu

For a spicy, vegetarian delight, try the Nashville Hot Tofu taco. It features crispy tofu coated in a fiery Nashville hot sauce, balanced with cool pickles and a touch of creamy ranch dressing.

Korean pork

Experience a burst of Asian-inspired flavours with the Korean Pork taco, featuring marinated pork, spicy kimchi, sesame seeds, and a sprinkle of fresh coriander, delivering a deliciously unique bite.

Falafel

Perfect for vegetarians, this taco includes crispy falafel, tahini crema, pickled red onions, Israeli salad, and a dash of sriracha for a satisfying and flavourful option.

US FAST FOOD EXPANSION INTO THE UK

American fast food giant Chick-fil-A is crossing the pond and bringing its beloved chicken sandwiches to our high streets next year.

The Sun exclusively revealed the exact locations of their first five permanent UK restaurants.

In July, Dave’s Hot Chicken announced plans to open 60 restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

Popeyes entered the UK market in 2021 and has proved to be a hit with ravenous customers ever since.

In just 30 months, the brand opened over 38 restaurants across the UK.

It has plans to reach the 60-restaurant milestone by the end of 2024.

US burger chain Wendy’s, which already has 31 sites in the UK, will also cut the ribbon on eight new locations this year.

The chain returned to the UK high street in 2021 after a 20-year hiatus.

Wendy’s is most famous for its square-shaped hamburgers, which are designed to maximise the amount of meat in every bite.

Shake Shack, which started out as a hotdog cart, recently opened its first restaurant inside a UK train station.

Brits commuting in St. Pancras International Station can now grab their favourite burgers before jumping onto their train.

The new spot marks the fast food giant’s 16th location in the UK since it was launched in Covent Garden in 2013.

While most of Shake Shack’s UK sites are based in London, bosses have expanded into other locations in recent years, including Essex, Oxford, and Cardiff.

Shake Shack’s humble beginnings trace back to a New York hot dog cart helmed by Randy Garutti.

Wingstop currently operates 39 sites across the UK and will open 15 more in 2024.

Lemon Pepper Holdings, which runs the fast food chain’s UK portfolio, said the move would create up to 750 jobs.

The US hospitality brand said it is its biggest year of expansion since launching Wingstop in the UK six years ago.

Dunkin’ Donuts, which currently has 30 stores in the UK, hopes to open 30 new branches over the next couple of years as part of a major expansion plan.

Dunkin’ Donuts landed in the UK in St John’s in Liverpool in May 2016.

The chain is huge in the US, with almost 9,500 stores spread across the country.

It sells a range of doughnuts, other sweet treats, and hot and cold drinks.

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