Sides fried chicken heads to Scotland

Sides, the fried chicken brand from YouTubers the Sidemen, has announced plans to launch two new sites in Scotland for the first time in Q1 2026.

The venues will be located in Glasgow’s St Enoch shopping centre and Livingston Designer Outlet.

The expansion into Scotland coincides with what press materials described as the business’ ambitions “to own the hot chicken category in the UK”.

Sides currently operates five UK restaurants across Lakeside in Essex, Bluewater in Kent, Boxpark Wembley, Merry Hill in the Midlands and the Arndale in Manchester. 

The hot chicken brand also launched its first international outpost in Singapore this June.

The Sidemen consists of Olajide ‘JJ’ Olatunji (KSI), Harry Lewis (Wroetoshaw), Simon Minter (Miniminter), Vik Barn (Vikkstar123), Josh Bradley (Zerkaa), Ethan Payne (Behzinga) and Tobi Brown (TBJZL), and has close to 23 million subscribers.

Aaron Moore-Saxton, managing director at Sides, said: “We have a great brand, a great product and we are ready to deliver new growth, starting in Scotland. 

“Expanding our footprint into Scotland has been a huge ambition and we are thrilled to bring our unique hot chicken experience to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Livingston, as we meet our ambition of owning the hot chicken category in the UK.” 

Moore-Saxton joined Sides earlier this year from the likes of Chopstix, Pizza Hut and Itsu. 

Sides was founded by the Sidemen in 2021, the UK’s biggest YouTube collective, in collaboration with Scottish-headquartered Hero Brands. 

The fried chicken brand runs virtual delivery kitchens across the UK and there are plans to open around 200 global locations over the next 10 years. 

Menu items include hot Nashville-style chicken dipped in a paprika-spiced oil; crispy corn ribs; waffle fries; and mac and cheese bites.