Published on
October 30, 2025

Grain, a new clean-label Mediterranean quick-service restaurant (QSR), is launching its flagship store in Holborn on 4 November 2025. This marks the brand’s first step in expanding across the UK, with a goal of opening 10 locations in major cities by 2026. The company aims for 50 stores by the end of the decade, bringing its health-driven approach to fast food across the nation.

Catering to the Growing Demand for Health-Conscious Dining

Grain is positioned as a modern answer to the growing demand for healthier and more transparent dining options. Built on the principles of Mediterranean diets, the restaurant chain emphasizes nutrition and flavor. It offers guests a chance to build their own bowls and pitas, selecting from a variety of wholesome bases, proteins, and fresh dips. The food is made fresh to order, ready in less than five minutes, perfect for the busy urban lifestyles of travelers and commuters.

With an emphasis on quality ingredients, Grain uses only extra-virgin olive oil and cold-pressed avocado oil, avoiding seed oils and processed fats. Its sourdough pitas and bagels replace traditional refined breads, ensuring that every dish is nutritious without compromising on taste. The focus on transparency and quality will likely appeal to tourists and locals alike, eager to explore a healthier fast-food option in the city.

Redefining Urban Dining with Mediterranean Flare

The Holborn location, designed by Terry Moore, features a Mediterranean aesthetic that complements the city’s vibrant atmosphere. The interior incorporates natural textures and an open-kitchen theatre, offering diners a more immersive dining experience. With its bright, sun-washed palette, the space is designed to cater to high-footfall urban environments, where both locals and tourists can grab a healthy, delicious meal.

Tourists seeking a quick but wholesome bite in the heart of London will find Grain’s modern approach to Mediterranean dining a refreshing change from typical fast-food chains. Its offerings cater to a broad range of dietary preferences, making it an inclusive dining choice for international visitors exploring the city.

A Sustainable and Scalable Dining Model

Grain’s mission is clear: to bring transparency and honesty to the fast-food industry. The brand is committed to sustainability, focusing on quality ingredients and responsible sourcing. With plans to expand to more locations across the UK and Europe, Grain aims to become a scalable model for health-driven fast casual dining.

For tourists visiting different cities in the UK, Grain will offer a dependable option for high-quality, quick meals. The restaurant’s dedication to providing clean, transparent food meets the rising demand for healthier choices among travelers. The chain is also seeking franchise partners to help drive this national growth and ensure consistency across its future sites.

Meeting the Needs of the Busy Traveler

Designed for those on the go, Grain combines convenience with nutritional integrity. Its flexible menu, which ranges from morning matcha and sourdough bagels to evening pitas, ensures that it can serve as a viable all-day dining solution for both tourists and local commuters. This flexibility will allow the brand to fit into a variety of property formats, including high streets, transport hubs, and university districts, making it an ideal spot for travelers.

The chain’s expansion strategy will likely cater to areas frequented by tourists, ensuring easy access to nutritious meals while exploring the city. The brand’s focus on creating a scalable dining model will appeal to a growing segment of tourists who are looking for healthier food options as part of their travel experience.

Future Growth and Expansion Plans

Grain’s Holborn location serves as the launch pad for the company’s broader growth strategy. The restaurant’s design and offerings will be replicated in future locations across major cities in the UK and beyond. Discussions are underway with landlords, developers, and investors to secure prime real estate in high-traffic areas, ensuring Grain’s presence in locations where both tourists and locals will benefit.

With a focus on efficiency and consistency, Grain is also setting up a new central kitchen to support its expansion efforts. This centralized system will enable the brand to maintain high standards across all locations, crucial for meeting the expectations of diners in various regions.

A Health-Focused Alternative for the Conscious Traveler

Grain’s commitment to offering a healthier, more transparent fast food option will resonate with both tourists and locals who value authenticity and nutrition. As the demand for health-conscious dining continues to grow, Grain is poised to become a leading name in the QSR space. Its Mediterranean-inspired menu, combined with its focus on quality ingredients and sustainability, makes it an ideal choice for travelers looking to eat well while on the go.

In conclusion, Grain is not just offering a meal, but an experience that aligns with the growing desire for healthier, more honest food choices. With its expansion plans well underway, it is set to redefine what fast casual dining looks like in the UK and beyond, catering to the needs of modern, health-conscious travelers.

Image Source: AI

Dining and Cooking