Smacks Burgers & Hot Chicken launches £3.2m funding raise to fuel expansion

The brand received early backing from British hip hop duo Krept & Konan.

Rising fast-food chain Smacks Burgers & Hot Chicken is raising £3m in private equity with Allenby Capital to fuel its expansion across the UK.

The brand is also launching a £200k crowdfund with Republic. As part of the pre-registration for the public raise, British hip hop duo, Casyo “Krept” Johnson BEM and Karl “Konan” Wilson BEM, have made an undisclosed investment and joined the business as Creative Directors.

The fresh funds will be used to open new company-owned and franchised restaurants. Five new sites have already been confirmed, with the brand planning to open at least an additional 25 restaurants over the next 18 months. The burger chain’s goal is to reach 100 UK sites by 2029.

The Group plans to use proceeds to fund new company-owned and franchised openings in the UK. It has already signed five locations with new and existing franchisees and is targeting at least 25 additional UK sites over the next 18 months, as part of a plan to reach 100 UK locations by 2029.

Launched in 2021 by Kaysor Ali, Smacks serves 100% Angus beef burgers, chicken, and milkshakes. The brand is known for its freshly prepared products, affordable pricing and engaging visuals.

“This fundraising is about building on our momentum. We believe there is an opportunity for a vibrant and unique QSR brand that is one-of-a-kind to scale across the UK and compete with the international chains dominating the sector today, and that is what we are setting out to build.” Ali said.

Smacks currently has 14 sites. It last reported a system sales growth of 50% to £7.9m, driven by new franchised store openings in Glasgow, Cardiff, Brighton, and a corporate store in London Victoria, which has traded ahead of expectations.