Bok Shop to expand to 10 sites after securing £1.2m backing

Fried chicken restaurant Bok Shop is planning to expand to 10 sites over the next two years after securing £1.2m funding from a private equity backer.

The brand, which serves chicken burgers, wings and tenders alongside vegan options, was founded by four friends in Brighton in 2017. A site in Croydon followed, as well as a 90-cover restaurant with retro arcade machines in Eastbourne.

The team is looking to expand after seeing a surge in demand for delivery during the pandemic, including through its own app.

A 100-cover venue is due to open in Southampton’s West Quay in summer 2021. Other locations will range from restaurants with 30-100 covers to counter-style takeaway and delivery sites.

Co-founder Jamie O’Mara said Bok Shop was looking to follow the mould of restaurant groups such as Honest Burgers and Pizza Pilgrims.

He said: “We never in our wildest dreams thought that we would be sharing what we created at our little shop in Brighton with the rest of the UK. It’s been a hard slog filled with failures and success, amplified by the pandemic, but all in the name of growth, both as individuals and as a company.”

Bok Shop’s menu includes wings coated in honey and ginger buffalo sauce, Katsu-Katsu fries, and a chicken burger with satay sauce, lettuce, chilli jam and cucumber.

Property agency Bruce Gillingham Pollard is acting on behalf of Bok Shop.