What The Adil Group does

The Adil Group is a privately held UK family office founded in 1969 that operates as one of the country's largest multi-brand franchise operators and property investors. The company manages 200+ UK locations spanning KFC (113+), Costa Coffee (50+), Taco Bell (28), Burger King (18), and Anytime Fitness (2 gyms under the Lion Heart Gyms brand), employing over 6,000 people across England and Scotland. Its portfolio is vertically integrated: the group owns commercial property (41.86% of the property book), drive-thru assets (27.91%), residential units (18.60%), and leisure/retail parks (11.63%), with many sites housing its own franchise operations and third-party tenants such as Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Travelodge, Dunelm, and Farm Foods.

The business generates revenue through three principal streams: franchise restaurant and coffee sales across the five major brands; property rental income from owned commercial, drive-thru, leisure, and residential assets; and hospitality operations through its own Maitrise boutique hotel brand (4 London locations, 109 rooms, over 600,000 cumulative guests) and the subscription-based Moonbeam Car Wash venture launched in 2022. The group acts as cash buyer on acquisitions, funding growth from operating cash flow rather than external capital, and has completed serial portfolio acquisitions including 11 KFC restaurants (2004), 14 KFC from Marsdens (2008), 10 KFC from Yum (2014), Crompton Retail Park for £6M+ (2021), and 40 KFC stores from Caskade Group (2024).

The company is led by founder Chairman Mohammed Adil OBE (founded the group in 1969 as the UK's first Asian Wimpy franchisee), Group CEO Raja Adil LLB (Hons) (joined 2004, drove KFC/Costa/Taco Bell diversification), and Head of Growth & Strategy Rafay Adil MSc (Hons) (founder of Moonbeam Car Wash, former VISA business development). No AI/ML, proprietary software platform, app, or API is disclosed; the operating model is conventional bricks-and-mortar franchise and property management. Industry recognition includes BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards (2020, 2023) and KFC Growth Partner of the Year (2022).

Name

The Adil Group

Legal name

The Adil Group

Website

https://theadilgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Adil Group is a UK family office operating 200+ franchise locations across KFC, Costa Coffee, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Anytime Fitness, alongside owned commercial property, the Maitrise boutique hotel brand, and the Moonbeam Car Wash subscription venture, employing over 6,000 people across England and Scotland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wembley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Franchise Operations: Operating franchise restaurants for major brands including KFC, Costa Coffee, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Anytime Fitness. Revenue generated from restaurant sales across over 200 locations.
2. Property Investment and Rental Income: Owning and leasing commercial property including retail parks, drive-thru assets, hotels, and residential units. Properties generate rental income from tenants including their own franchise operations and third parties.
3. Hotel Operations: Operating boutique Maitrise Hotels in London, generating revenue from guest accommodations and hospitality services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Adil Group is a UK family office that operates more than 200 franchise locations of major national brands including KFC, Costa Coffee, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Anytime Fitness. The group also owns and develops commercial property (retail parks, drive-thru sites, offices), runs its own boutique Maitrise Hotels brand with four London locations, and operates Moonbeam Car Wash. The business combines direct franchise operations with integrated property investment and ownership.

Product overview

The Adil Group is a family office and multi-brand franchise operator offering a diversified portfolio of quick service restaurant (QSR) franchises, boutique hotels, and property investment services. The company operates as a unified business where the franchise brands (KFC with 113+ locations, Costa Coffee with 50+ stores, Burger King with 18 outlets, Taco Bell with 28 outlets, and Anytime Fitness gyms) are complemented by the company's own Maitrise Hotels boutique hotel brand (4 locations, 109 rooms) and Moonbeam Car Wash. The property investment and development division manages commercial and residential assets nationwide, including drive-thru sites, retail parks, and residential properties. The business model integrates restaurant operations with property ownership, creating synergies across the hospitality and real estate sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maitrise Hotels: Boutique hotel brand operated by The Adil Group, with locations in Kilburn, Edgware Road, Ealing, and Wembley. Established in 2009, featuring 109 rooms with understated luxury amenities including A/C, flat-screen TVs, and fast Wi-Fi.
• Moonbeam Car Wash

Products and services

• KFC Franchise Operations One of the largest KFC franchise operators in the UK with 113+ locations nationwide, specializing in the Original Recipe fried chicken and operating both drive-thru and high-street locations for general consumers.
• Costa Coffee Franchise Operations Coffee shop franchise operator with 50+ stores across the UK, operating high-street locations and drive-thru destinations serving sustainably grown coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms to general consumers.
• Burger King Franchise Operations Fast food hamburger franchise with 18 Burger King outlets across the UK, known for flame-grilled WHOPPER sandwiches made with 100% British and Irish beef, serving general consumers at high-traffic locations.
• Taco Bell Franchise Operations Mexican-style fast food franchise with 28 outlets across the UK, holding exclusivity and development rights for Scotland and the East Midlands, serving general consumers at high-traffic UK locations.
• Anytime Fitness Franchise Operations (via Lion Heart Gyms) 24/7 fitness franchise offering state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment, dedicated personal trainers, classes, and private bathrooms for general consumers seeking flexible fitness access.
• Maitrise Hotels The Adil Group's own boutique hotel brand with locations in Kilburn, Edgware Road, Ealing, and Wembley, featuring 109 rooms with understated luxury, modern amenities including A/C, flat-screen TVs, and fast Wi-Fi for leisure and business travelers.
• Moonbeam Car Wash Next-generation automated car wash business with a focus on subscription revenue, sustainability, and quality product, designed for scale and integrated with the roadside property portfolio for general consumers.
• Property Investment & Development Commercial and residential property investment and development services. Owns and manages a nationwide UK portfolio including high street units, offices, leisure and retail parks, drive-thru assets, and hotels with a portfolio breakdown of Commercial 41.86%, Drive-Thru Assets 27.91%, Residential 18.60%, and Leisure/Retail Parks 11.63%.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 locations nationwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KFC (Yum Brands)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest brand partner with over 110 locations nationwide. The Adil Group began KFC franchise operations in 2004 with acquisition of 11 stores and has grown to become one of KFC's largest UK franchisees through organic growth and acquisitions including 40 stores from Caskade Group in 2024. Raja Adil received HSBC Best in Class Multi-Brand Leader Award at 2023 KFC HSBC Franchise Awards.
• Costa Coffee (Whitbread)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSelected as growth partner with Whitbread to open Costa Coffee stores. Acquired Costa franchise in 2007, opened first store on Chatham High Street. Have since opened over 50 stores across UK including Scotland expansion with cluster agreements. Opened 50th Costa franchise in 2021.
• Burger KingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChairman Mohammed Adil began career as Wimpy franchisee and converted all 15 Wimpy sites to Burger King in 1989. Now operate 18 Burger King outlets across UK including landmark shopping centre sites and drive-thru locations.
• Taco Bell (Yum Brands)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive development agreement for Scotland and East Midlands. First store opened December 2017 on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow - most successful Taco Bell opening in UK. First Taco Bell Drive-Thru opened at Riverway Retail Park, Scotland in 2019. Now operate 28 Taco Bell outlets across UK.
• Anytime FitnesscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal fitness partner with 4,000 clubs worldwide. The Adil Group founded Lion Heart Gyms in 2018 and partnered with Anytime Fitness for global brand recognition. First gym opened July 2018 next to Maitrise Hotel Maida Vale. Offer 24-hour access, state-of-the-art equipment, dedicated personal trainers, and classes.
• Maitrise HotelscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerThe Adil Group's own boutique hotel brand established in 2009 with first hotel at 53-59 Kilburn High Road, NW6 converted from offices to 110-room hotel. Locations now include Kilburn, Edgware Road, Ealing, and Wembley. Part of Best Western hotel group.
• Costa FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable partnership supporting coffee growing communities through education. The Costa Foundation aims to improve life chances of young children in coffee growing communities by providing safe and quality education opportunities.
• Add Hope (KFC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKFC's global hunger relief initiative. The Adil Group has donated over £1,000,000 to the Add Hope Foundation supporting hungry children and families worldwide.
• Barnardo'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK children's charity transforming lives of most vulnerable children through services, campaigning and research. The Adil Group supports through their Charitable Foundation.
• HSBCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHSBC UK Head of Franchising provides recognition and sponsorship for British Franchise Association awards. Andy Brattesani noted Adil Group's impressive figures and charity initiatives at the 2020 BFA HSBC Franchise Awards.
• British Franchise Association (BFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK franchise industry body. The Adil Group won BFA HSBC Franchise Awards including Multi-Unit award in 2020 and HSBC Best in Class Multi-Brand award in 2023. CEO Pip Wilkins noted Adil Group's values and culture.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EG Group (Euro Garages): One of the largest UK-based multi-brand QSR franchise operators, partnering with brands like KFC, Burger King, Starbucks, and Subway at fuel station and retail park sites. Most directly comparable to The Adil Group in terms of multi-brand franchise model and UK geographic focus, though EG Group also operates fuel retail.
• Domino's Pizza Group: UK master franchisee for Domino's Pizza, operating and sub-franchising pizza restaurants across UK and Ireland, listed on LSE. Highly comparable franchise-operator business model with similar mix of franchise fees, royalty income, and corporate-operated stores; relevant benchmark for valuation multiples in UK franchisee segment.

Broad incumbents

• Yum! Brands: Parent company and franchisor of KFC and Taco Bell—The Adil Group's largest brand partners with 113+ KFC and 28 Taco Bell outlets. Major incumbent in the franchisor-franchisee relationship with direct strategic interest in the group's growth trajectory.
• Restaurant Brands International: Parent company of Burger King and other QSR brands, with The Adil Group operating 18 Burger King outlets under their franchise model. Represents a key franchisor relationship and structural counterparty for contract terms.
• Whitbread: Owner and franchisor of Costa Coffee, with The Adil Group operating 50+ Costa Coffee stores under their franchise model. Also operates Premier Inn hotels, providing a comparable UK hospitality exposure alongside the franchisor relationship.
• McDonald's Corporation: Global QSR franchisor with similar franchise model to Yum Brands and RBI. While The Adil Group does not currently operate McDonald's, it is a relevant industry benchmark for QSR franchise economics, franchise agreement structures, and global best practices.
• Anytime Fitness (Self Esteem Brands): Global fitness franchise brand with 4,000+ clubs worldwide. The Adil Group operates 2 Anytime Fitness gyms under their franchise model, making this a direct franchisor relationship for the group's emerging fitness vertical.
• Best Western Hotels & Resorts: Global hotel group of which Maitrise Hotels (The Adil Group's boutique hotel brand, 4 locations, 109 rooms) is a member. Represents the franchisor/affiliation relationship for the group's hospitality vertical.

Others

• Mitchells & Butlers: UK-listed hospitality operator owning and operating pubs, restaurants, and hotels across brands like Harvester, Toby Carvery, and All Bar One. Different operating model (owned brands vs. franchised), but comparable UK hospitality exposure and similar scale considerations.

Emerging players

• Loungers PLC: UK-listed operator of all-day lounge, restaurant, and pub concepts (Lounges, Cosy Club). Smaller scale than The Adil Group but provides a relevant UK hospitality benchmark for unit economics, multi-site operations, and consumer trends in the UK casual dining sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Adil Group