Black Sheep Coffee has secured another multi-unit franchise expansion in the UK after existing franchise partner YOLOWAYS committed to developing at least nine new stores across North Wales and Cheshire over the next five years, further strengthening the specialty coffee chain’s regional growth strategy.
The agreement marks an expansion of YOLOWAYS’ relationship with Black Sheep Coffee less than a year after the franchise group joined the brand’s network to develop stores in Merseyside. According to Black Sheep Coffee Franchise Development Manager Lewis Blakey, the enlarged territory reflects the franchisee’s confidence in the brand and its long-term growth potential.
As part of the rollout, the partners are preparing to open a new Black Sheep Coffee location at Golden Square Shopping Centre in Warrington, with additional locations across the newly awarded territory expected to be announced in the coming months.
“Really excited to share that our existing franchise partners at YOLOWAYS are extending their Black Sheep Coffee territory, with a 9-store minimum commitment across North Wales and Cheshire over the next five years,” Blakey said in a LinkedIn announcement. He added that the development comes less than a year after welcoming the team into the franchise network in Merseyside, with the store pipeline “taking excellent shape” ahead of the Warrington opening.
The latest agreement continues Black Sheep Coffee’s strategy of expanding through experienced multi-unit franchise operators. Over the past year, the company has signed several sizeable territory deals, including commitments for 20 stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, 10 stores in Central London, eight stores in Nottinghamshire, and seven stores across Cambridgeshire, demonstrating strong franchise demand in both the UK and international markets.
Blakey also revealed that franchise opportunities are becoming increasingly limited, noting that only seven franchise territories remain available across the UK and Ireland as the company continues to build its national network.
Founded in London in 2013, Black Sheep Coffee has built its reputation around serving 100% specialty-grade Robusta coffee and has expanded into a global café brand offering coffee, food, smoothies, shakes and all-day hospitality concepts. The company now operates more than 135 locations across five international markets and has increasingly shifted its growth strategy towards franchising after establishing a significant company-owned estate. The brand continues to target multi-unit operators capable of developing regional territories across the UK and overseas.
