Fish and Chip Shops

[mconridge]

Is there any reason why there arn't any big Fish and Chip chains in The UK, except for Ramsden's?

The sector seems to have a good GP margin, is a cash business and has lots of potential to differenciate against what's already around.

Seems like as long as you get a good location and good management running it, it could be a good market.

 

[-1-]

Fish and chips is a regional product and trying to build a franchise model around it would be very hard. If you go to Pizza Hut in London or Glasgow you are getting the same product made in the same factory etc. If you tried to sell cod to someone in Glasgow or a fried pizza to a guy in London you will get the idea.

Chip shops also rely on local produce (potatoes) and it would be hard to control where people buy.

 

[creacom]

Depending on the area, market and quality - it can be a good business. Problem is that there are many bad fish and chip shops that get a lot of custom at the start and dont last.

My dad used to run a Harry Ramsdens franchise. They won best fish and chip shop in Scotland year after year and best in UK. But they are not money makers, thats all Ill say.

Do you have an area in mind for one ? Have you checked out the competition ?

Jacqui

 

[mconridge]

None in mind. I was chatting to a client and they have a couple in seasonal tourist spots in Devon.

I'd say you are spot on about the quality issue. I think this would create a good opportunity to offer something different. Quality Fresh products in an attractive setting with a strong hint of environmentalism (Recycleable paper etc).

I'm not looking at the type of chippie you would visit after a night out on the town. More like shops you see located in large villages, that have a smallish turnover but also short hours.

 

[creacom]

Short hours part is rarely possible in this trade. The prep, stock control and heating and cooking with roasting hot fat takes a while.

Your best bet is to keep a skeleton staff over the quieter hours, target out of rush hour markets ( passing trade etc ) then also be ready for the busier hours by doing this.


Jacqui

 

[simonswords]

You know I'm glad you posted this. While I was away on holiday last week I had too much time to think about things (obviously) and wondered why there wasn't a national chain of chinese and indian food take away outlets - al la Pizza Hut / Ramsdens / KFC style. There must be an obvious reason but I can't think of one.

 

Best fish and chip shop in the world is

The Fish-Inn Herne Bay high street.

Fish comes straight of the boats at Ramesgate 14 miles away so is fresh every day.

I think the other posts have covered why no chains ,its all about quality and maintaning that with fish is pretty hard.

P.S no I don't have a fish and chip website I just eat there.

Earl

 

[globalart4u]

innovation is the key
offering healthy fish ie grilled, steamed as well as fried and a variety of fish ie lemon sole, hake, tuna etc also a small variety of other dishes.
or innovate and offer something else that no one else or few do such as maybe a theme fish and chip place ie children's party like in macdonalds and offer with it ballons, cake etc?
people want something different and quality too then there is the healthy eating and green issues too

 

then there is the healthy eating and green issues too

Not in a fish and chip shop there ain't

Earl

 

[estwig]

Best fish and chip shop in the world is

The Fish-Inn Herne Bay high street.

Fish comes straight of the boats at Ramesgate 14 miles away so is fresh every day.

I think the other posts have covered why no chains ,its all about quality and maintaning that with fish is pretty hard.

P.S no I don't have a fish and chip website I just eat there.

Earl

Yes tis a good chippie, The Dolphin at Hastings is very hard to beat, fish straight off the boats 10 yards away.

 

[saracen]

our local fish and chip shop is dire, you could knock someone out cold with the fish if you hit anyone on the head with it. not that its something i've tried lol

£5 for a fish supper , due to the size of the fish its more like a "sardine" supper.

 

Yes tis a good chippie, The Dolphin at Hastings is very hard to beat, fish straight off the boats 10 yards away.

Keith a bit to near dungeness for my liking they all got green eyes

Earl

 

[RayB]

Keith/Earl

There are no cod within about 800 miles of Kent now are there?

Now, "The Lifeboat Inn" in Selsey does a mean crab salad, and that is FRESH

 

Keith/Earl

There are no cod within about 800 miles of Kent now are there?

well someone should tell the kentish fishermen this

and some of the best sea bass in the UK

http://www.kentandessex-sfc.co.uk/id23.html


www.thisisfolkestone.co.uk/home2.htm

Earl

 

[lockie]

My dad recently retired after running a chip shop for 20 plus years. Long hours and lots of cleaning is what sticks in my mind for not a lot of money. Fish is becoming a dwindling resource so prices must go up and with so many fast food chains about the market is saturated.

Every chip shop is different as so many have their own ways of mixing batter or which oil they prefer to cook in.Different tastes in different parts of the country too, some wont like vegetable oil and some wont like blanche fried chips.
I think the regional differences stop chains developing in this particular trade.

I notice the ones that survive and make money cut the corners, many a time ive had chips which have been fried in dirty oil.

 

Yes, I've heard a number of times that it's difficult to make money from a chip shop. I think the best thing would probably be a mobile van, rather than premises.

 

[cjd]

Is there any reason why there arn't any big Fish and Chip chains in The UK, except for Ramsden's?

The only structural reason I can think of is that they are too small and too low value per transaction to interest a chain (no high profit alcohol or other drink sales).

If you're going into the food chain/franchies business you get more profit per unit from a 'sit-down' restaurant.

Doesn't mean it can't be done tho'

 

[Cred-X]

You could always try dropping the "local chippy" a[[raoch and go up-market

Instead of 'Yo-Sushi' you could have 'Yo-Fishi'

 

[-1-]

I have very extensive experience in the fish and chip shop industry and worked with a government funded agency helping promote fish

95% of the chip shop owners you meet are 20 years behind respect to I.T and management and are more interested in pulling the staff than making huge profits.

I have however meet 3 guys who ran the chip shops as a business and all drove Ferrari's, had solid gold rolexes and made a small fortune. I remember being in one guys office who had just collected his 4 shops weekly takings and he had a £50k pile of cash.

Like any business if you do it right and there is a demand you will make money

 

[GeorgeM]

Many small businesses would not convert to a national chain because they are too labour-intensive (like a fish & chip shop). Therefore the only route is franchising and that would not work with fish and chips (as explained earlier).

Regards

 

[LOUBELOUUK1]

Hahahaha

I havent really anything to add to this thread but I have read it with great interest and all i can say is i am drooling and hungry now.... yum yum!!!

Louise