"Huge moment": SpudBros Express opening in Wakefield this week as national service station rollout planned
Popular jacket potato business SpudBros is opening in Wakefield as part of a trial rollout which is set to bring the brand to service stations around the country.
A SpudBros Express store is opening its doors from 1pm tomorrow, Thursday, at Snow Hill Service Station in Wakefield, following another opening at a similar service station in Blackburn today.
The brand was originally based in Preston but has recently opened new outlets in Sheffield, Liverpool and London after rocketing to fame in recent years with a series of viral online videos.
It is now looking at a nationwide rollout at roadside locations, with the trial store openings in Wakefield and Blackburn potentially leading to the rollout of further SpudBros Express stores across the country.
It is working with EG On The Move, a leading, national petrol forecourt operator owned and led by entrepreneur and former Asda co-owner Zuber Issa CBE.
EG On The Move has more than 160 petrol forecourt service station locations nationally.
Jacob Nelson, co-founder of SpudBros, added: “Partnering with EG On The Move is a huge moment for us. Like Zuber Issa, CEO, EG On The Move, we are proud of our Lancashire heritage.
"At SpudBros our goal has always been to take make our menu offer beyond the queues around the block and into people’s everyday lives.
"By working with brilliant retail operators and passionate franchise owners, we are proving that a humble jacket potato can become a nationally loved brand.
"I am confident Blackburn and Wakefield are just the beginning of a much bigger journey with EG On The Move.”
Salim Hasan, Chief Operating Officer, EG On The Move noted, “We are excited to bring SpudBros Express to our petrol forecourt locations in Blackburn and Wakefield.
"SpudBros Express is a brand which already has a massive customer following and their operational focus on the menu development, marketing, quality, speed and customer satisfaction aligns perfectly with our own passion for food service investment.
"We always aim to enhance the customer offer at our sites with partnerships with leading, complementary foodservice brands like SpudBros Express.
"Working alongside the SpudBros Express leadership and brand team, we anticipate the opening of these two trial stores will be a strong and successful long-term roadside partnership.”
A spokesperson said: “SpudBros’ journey began in 1955 when a hot potato cart first opened on Preston’s Flag Market. Decades later, brothers Jacob and Harley Nelson have transformed the family tradition into one of the UK’s most recognisable food brands.”
When the firm opened in Sheffield city centre last month, hundreds of customers queued up for the store’s opening day.
One person queued overnight to be the first to use the store.
The woman told the Sheffield Star: “I’ve been to Preston, Liverpool, London and I’ve always been first.
“I thought I can’t not come to my own city and not be first. They’re amazing, they bring great vibes, great energy.”