Spudulike

Spudulike
Company typePrivate
IndustryCasual dining
FoundedJune 1974; 50 years ago (1974-06) in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
FounderKim Culley, David Leggate and Barbara Cain.
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
Key people
Simon Barnett (Director)
ProductsBaked potatoes, crushed potato salads, side dishes and desserts
Websitewww.spudulike.co.uk
Spudulike Braehead, in 2015

Spudulike Ltd is a restaurant chain and franchise specialising in baked potatoes (potatoes being known as "spuds" in colloquial British English) that first opened in Edinburgh in 1974.[1][2] Spudulike sold baked potatoes with various fillings, other potato based meals, and side dishes.[2][3]

Spudulike Ltd was founded by Kim Culley and Barbara Cain. The company was acquired by the British School of Motoring (BSM) in 1979,[4] which helped Spudulike to rapidly expand its business as a franchise operation. It later demerged from BSM, and in May 2001, it bought Courts Quality Foods, owner of rival potato brand Fat Jackets.[5] Spudulike had fifty outlets across the United Kingdom in 2001, including twenty Courts franchises.[4]

The company entered into one company voluntary arrangement in July 2019, in an attempt to restructure its debt,[6] then on 1 August, filed for administration, with all thirty seven remaining outlets closed.[7] Potato firm Albert Bartlett acquired a number of stores of Spudulike in September 2019, and reopened them in October 2019, with an updated menu.[8][9] In October 2021, TV chef James Martin teamed up with Albert Bartlett to launch an updated Spudulike menu.[10]

References

  1. ^ Coates, Liz (6 September 2017). "Why has Spud-u-Like in Great Yarmouth shut?". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b Martin, S.B. (1991). Worldwide Franchise Directory. Gale Research. p. 239. ISBN 978-0-8103-7805-6. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  3. ^ Fantozzi, Joanna (28 July 2017). "23 fast food chains from around the world that we wish would come to the United States". Insider. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b Wootliff, Benjamin (29 May 2001). "Baked potato chain fattens up". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Spudulike buys Fat Jackets". The Caterer. 30 May 2001. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Spudulike asks landlords for rent cuts in rescue restructuring". The Guardian. 6 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Spudulike closes all 37 outlets as high street downturn continues". The Guardian. 4 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Spudulike". Spudulike. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019. We're back, With an upgraded menu & prices you'll love.
  9. ^ Ball, Jak (7 October 2019). "Spudulike stores reopen two months after administration". PlymouthLive.
  10. ^ "SpudULike". spudulikebyjamesmartin.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.