
How Fast-Food Franchising Actually Works
Almost every restaurant you think of as a chain is owned by someone else entirely. What the franchisee actually buys, and why it explains the price on the board.
28 chains tracked in United Kingdom, priced in GBP (£). Every menu below is the full local board, not a global template.
The cheapest priced item we hold in each dish category across every United Kingdom menu - A rough floor for what each kind of food costs here.
| Dish type | Items tracked | Cheapest we found | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sides & Fries | 220 | £0.30 | Fries, onion rings, dips, slaw and the upsell economy. |
| Soft Drinks, Tea & Juice | 158 | £1 | Colas, teas, juices, water and the mark-up on all of them. |
| Sandwiches & Wraps | 156 | £1 | Subs, wraps, melts, toasties and hand-held everything else. |
| Fried Chicken | 154 | £1.79 | Buckets, tenders, wings, nuggets and rotisserie birds. |
| Burgers | 137 | £1.09 | Beef, chicken and plant-based burgers priced side by side. |
| Pizza | 134 | £1.95 | Every pizza on every menu we track, from margherita to meat feast. |
| Combos & Meal Deals | 130 | £1.60 | Bundles, family boxes, promotions and value platters. |
| Desserts & Bakes | 105 | £0.50 | Cakes, cookies, pies, brownies and the sweet end of the board. |
| Coffee | 99 | £1.49 | Espresso, latte, cappuccino and cold brew, market by market. |
| Ice Cream & Frozen Treats | 72 | £0.99 | Scoops, sundaes, blizzards, soft serve and ice-cream cakes. |
| Bakery & Pretzels | 71 | £1 | Pretzels, cinnamon rolls, croissants and counter bakes. |
| Rice & Bowls | 55 | £1.49 | Rice plates, bowls and the localised menus built around them. |
| Tacos & Burritos | 50 | £1.49 | Tex-Mex counters: tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos. |
| Donuts | 45 | £1.30 | Glazed, filled, dozen boxes and the price per donut. |
Cheapest priced option on any United Kingdom menu in that category, including small sizes and single-item promos.
28 brands, 28 full menus.
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.79 | 1.07 |
| Average | 3.59 | 4.85 |
| Dearest | 11.79 | 15.94 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.49 | 2.01 |
| Average | 9.48 | 12.82 |
| Dearest | 39.99 | 54.06 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.99 | 1.34 |
| Average | 7.37 | 9.96 |
| Dearest | 39.99 | 54.06 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.59 | 0.80 |
| Average | 7.30 | 9.87 |
| Dearest | 36.99 | 50.01 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.95 | 1.28 |
| Average | 12.09 | 16.34 |
| Dearest | 49.99 | 67.58 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.59 | 0.80 |
| Average | 10.47 | 14.15 |
| Dearest | 24.99 | 33.78 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.69 | 0.93 |
| Average | 13.97 | 18.89 |
| Dearest | 44.99 | 60.82 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.50 | 0.68 |
| Average | 7.30 | 9.87 |
| Dearest | 33.99 | 45.95 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.99 | 1.34 |
| Average | 6.44 | 8.71 |
| Dearest | 19.99 | 27.02 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.80 | 2.43 |
| Average | 5 | 6.76 |
| Dearest | 7.15 | 9.67 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.55 | 0.74 |
| Average | 5.08 | 6.87 |
| Dearest | 14.50 | 19.60 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.80 | 1.08 |
| Average | 7.27 | 9.83 |
| Dearest | 25.95 | 35.08 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 3.49 | 4.72 |
| Average | 25.68 | 34.72 |
| Dearest | 79.99 | 108 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.30 | 1.76 |
| Average | 6.07 | 8.21 |
| Dearest | 75 | 101 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.59 | 2.15 |
| Average | 9.81 | 13.26 |
| Dearest | 23.75 | 32.11 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.50 | 2.03 |
| Average | 5.06 | 6.84 |
| Dearest | 18 | 24.33 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.59 | 2.15 |
| Average | 6.67 | 9.02 |
| Dearest | 23.99 | 32.43 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 3 | 4.06 |
| Average | 7.78 | 10.52 |
| Dearest | 14 | 18.93 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 2.15 | 2.91 |
| Average | 17.99 | 24.32 |
| Dearest | 129.99 | 176 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.39 | 1.88 |
| Average | 8.59 | 11.61 |
| Dearest | 23.09 | 31.21 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 2.95 | 3.99 |
| Average | 9.28 | 12.55 |
| Dearest | 44.95 | 60.77 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 4.15 | 5.61 |
| Average | 8.47 | 11.45 |
| Dearest | 13.45 | 18.18 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 2.40 | 3.24 |
| Average | 7.99 | 10.80 |
| Dearest | 57.50 | 77.73 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 0.30 | 0.41 |
| Average | 10.61 | 14.34 |
| Dearest | 80 | 108 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.95 | 2.64 |
| Average | 16.83 | 22.75 |
| Dearest | 57.95 | 78.34 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1 | 1.35 |
| Average | 4.90 | 6.62 |
| Dearest | 8.30 | 11.22 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.75 | 2.37 |
| Average | 4.24 | 5.73 |
| Dearest | 6.49 | 8.77 |
| GBP | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| From | 1.90 | 2.57 |
| Average | 12.06 | 16.30 |
| Dearest | 16.20 | 21.90 |
Products United Kingdom shares with the most other markets we track, so you can see where it sits.
| Product | Brand | Markets | Cheapest | Priciest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Mac McDonald's price by country | McDonald's | 16 | $2.85 | $7.89 |
| Little Hamburger Five Guys price by country | Five Guys | 11 | $1.90 | $11.89 |
| Cheese Dog Five Guys price by country | Five Guys | 11 | $1.99 | $12.23 |
| Little Cheeseburger Five Guys price by country | Five Guys | 11 | $2.20 | $13.33 |
| Veggie Sandwich Five Guys price by country | Five Guys | 11 | $1.50 | $8.68 |
| Hamburger Five Guys price by country | Five Guys | 11 | $2.69 | $14.98 |
| Cheeseburger Five Guys price by country | Five Guys | 11 | $3.19 | $16.37 |
| Filet-O-Fish™ McDonald's price by country | McDonald's | 11 | $1.79 | $5.88 |
Long, long ago - Way before microwave meals and drive-thrus - People in the UK were cooking up cozy feasts in stone cottages and smoky kitchens. Imagine grannies kneading dough with floury hands while the rain tapped the windows. That’s where British food started: simple stuff, made with love and whatever was growing in the garden or swimming in the nearby sea.
The UK’s food isn’t just from the UK, though. People from India, the Caribbean, Italy, and all over the world moved here and brought along their spices, sauces, and special ways of cooking. Now, fish and chips sits happily on the same street as tikka masala. It's like the UK’s dinner table has chairs for everyone - And they all bring snacks.
And don’t forget the land! Green hills grow the crispiest apples and the juiciest berries. Cold seas give up flaky cod and pink shrimp. Even sheep get involved (looking at you, lamb stew).
You ever hear about a sandwich so good it started a fight? Probably not. But in the town of Melton Mowbray, they take their pork pies very seriously. These pies are chunky, wrapped in golden pastry, and filled with herby meat. One guy once said his grandma’s pork pies could cure anything - Even a bad breakup.
Then there’s the story of curry night. In Birmingham, a chef mixed tomato soup, cream, and spices to make something new. That’s how chicken tikka masala was born. It’s now called “Britain’s true national dish,” and yep - It didn’t even come from India.
And if you ever visit a Sunday roast? You’ll meet Yorkshire pudding. Not a dessert, but a puffy, squishy bowl made from batter. You pour gravy into it like it’s a soup bowl made of pancake. Magical stuff.
British cooking isn’t fancy. It’s kind. People cook to warm you up when it’s raining (which, let’s be real, is often). Recipes get passed down like secret treasure maps. They don’t care about five-star ratings - They care about making you say “Mmm” with your mouth full.
It’s all about real ingredients - Potatoes pulled from the garden, fish caught that morning, berries still warm from the sun. People cook together, eat together, and argue (nicely) about who makes the best cup of tea.
Fish and Chips - From Coastal Towns Like Brighton Crispy, golden, salty, and best eaten while watching the seagulls try to steal a bite
Full English Breakfast - Everywhere, Especially Cafés in Manchester or London Sizzling sausages, runny eggs, baked beans, and toast that crunches just right - Perfect for sleepy mornings
Cornish Pasty - Cornwall (obviously!) Like a hot pocket’s cool grandma - Flaky, buttery crust stuffed with meat, potatoes, and onion
Haggis - Scotland’s Brave Belly-Filler Spicy, hearty, and a little daring - It’s like a warm food hug wrapped in mystery
Sticky Toffee Pudding - From Cumbria (and Heaven) Soft cake drowned in warm toffee sauce - Like dessert melted into a cuddle
Pay-What-You-Can Cafés - Places like “The Real Junk Food Project” let anyone eat, even if their wallet’s empty. They turn food waste into tasty meals.
Junior Chef Clubs - Some schools have fun cooking classes where kids get messy and learn how to bake pies (and not burn them).
Visit a Working Farm - In the countryside, families can visit farms, pick apples, hug sheep, and learn where their breakfast comes from.
Community Fridges - Anyone can take or leave food - No judging, just sharing.
Grow-Your-Own Programs - Local groups teach people how to plant, water, and harvest their own veggies, even in tiny city gardens.
Soup Kitchens with a Smile - All around the UK, volunteers cook warm meals for folks who need a little help or a lot of love.
Food in the UK isn’t just about filling your belly. It’s about filling the room with laughs, stories, and good smells. Whether you’re biting into a buttered scone or dipping chips into vinegar at the beach, there’s always room for one more at the table. So come hungry, bring a smile, and help write the next chapter of this delicious tale.
The kettle’s on. Let’s eat.
Pick any brand that trades in both and see every shared item priced side by side.

Almost every restaurant you think of as a chain is owned by someone else entirely. What the franchisee actually buys, and why it explains the price on the board.

Localisation is not adding a novelty item. It is a staged process with a predictable sequence, and the menu data shows exactly how far each market has travelled.

Menu boards are designed documents, not lists. Where the money items sit, what the ordering of panels is doing, and how to find the price you actually want.

Menu calorie labelling is mandatory in some markets, voluntary in others and absent in most. What our data shows about how little of it reaches a published menu.
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Continue with GoogleYour email is never published. How reports work.
Discussion
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