UK-based speciality coffee chain Dirt Coffee has opened its first London location in Hornsey, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s national expansion strategy as parent company DMH Brands sets its sights on building a network of 100 franchised stores across the UK over the next three to four years.
The new café has been launched through franchise partners Zakhir and Khurram, with the total investment for the store standing at approximately £95,000, including franchise fees. The site also benefits from an annual rent of around £14,000, figures that DMH Brands says are substantially below prevailing market costs for comparable speciality coffee businesses.
According to David Hodgetts, founder of DMH Brands, the company’s operating model enables franchisees to enter the speciality coffee sector with investment costs that are two to five times lower than many competing brands, whilst occupancy costs are three to ten times lower. He added that despite operating from lower-cost neighbourhood locations, the Hornsey café is already generating transaction volumes that outperform competing coffee chains.
The franchise partners credited DMH Brands with managing the complete launch process, including property sourcing, lease negotiations, store design, fit-out, recruitment, staff training and pre-opening marketing, allowing them to focus on operating the business from day one.
The London debut represents the first step in what DMH Brands describes as an aggressive national franchise programme. The company plans to expand Dirt Coffee rapidly through owner-operators, targeting high streets, neighbourhood centres and community-focused locations where lower occupancy costs can support stronger franchise economics.
Dirt Coffee positions itself as a premium speciality coffee concept focused on high-quality coffee, streamlined operations and an accessible investment model for entrepreneurs. The brand forms part of the broader DMH Brands portfolio, which has been developing scalable food and beverage franchise concepts designed around lower capital expenditure and comprehensive operational support.
With speciality coffee continuing to be one of the UK’s most competitive foodservice segments, DMH Brands is aiming to differentiate Dirt Coffee by offering franchisees a lower-risk entry point while maintaining premium product standards. The company believes this combination of affordability, operational support and neighbourhood-focused locations will accelerate its ambition to establish 100 UK outlets within the next few years.
