Sides Hot Chicken Opens First Scottish Restaurant by The Sidemen; Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• One of the UK’s fastest-growing hot chicken brands, Sides, has launched in Glasgow with its first-ever Scottish location
• The restaurant is owned by YouTube collective The Sidemen, consisting of seven members with 18.5 million subscribers
• Sides is opening at St. Enoch Centre on Floor 1, launching Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 4 pm
• This marks The Sidemen’s first Scottish restaurant, bringing signature hot chicken and famous flavours to Scotland
• The brand will operate daily from 11 am–11 pm at the Glasgow location
• A second Scottish location is planned at Livingston Designer Outlet, opening August 2026
• Sides menu includes Nashville-style hot chicken, vegan and halal options, loaded waffle fries, chilli poppers, and mac and cheese bites
• The brand was founded in November 2021 in collaboration with Scottish-headquartered Hero Brands
• Sides now has locations across the UK, UAE, and Singapore, with upcoming openings in Liverpool (July 2026) and Cardiff
• The chicken shop sector has surged 7.2% year-on-year, marking the fastest growth in British fast food

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) June 9, 2026 – One of the fastest-growing hot chicken brands in the UK has officially launched in Glasgow, with internet favourites The Sidemen opening their first-ever Scottish Sides location.

Set to open within the St. Enoch Centre on Tuesday, June 9 at 4 pm, the brand is bringing its signature hot chicken and famous flavours menu to Scottish food fans for the first time.

Why Are Glasgow Diners Excited About Sides Hot Chicken Opening Today?

As reported by the franchising.com news team in London, UK,

“Sides has announced a F&B expansion across Scotland. The brand is set to open two new locations across Scotland in the first half of 2026 in Glasgow and Livingston, marking its first entry into the Scottish market”.

The Sidemen, the hugely popular YouTube collective founded Sides, expressed their enthusiasm about the Scottish launch. According to the official announcement,

“We’re gassed to finally land in Scotland, it’s been a long time coming, and you’ve been asking for this for ages”.

What Makes Sides One of the UK’s Fastest-Growing Hot Chicken Brands?

As reported by Restaurant Online,

“The brand, which was created by YouTube stars The Sidemen, will make its Scottish debut in the first half of next year with a site at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow with another restaurant at Livingston Designer Outlet set to follow close behind”.

The brand serves a menu that includes signature chicken wings, burgers and tenders alongside loaded waffle fries, chilli poppers, and mac and cheese bites, according to Restaurant Online. Menu items include hot Nashville-style chicken dipped in a paprika-spiced oil; crispy corn ribs; waffle fries; and mac and cheese bites, as reported by The Caterer.

Launched late last year as a delivery brand, Sides offers chicken burgers and wings — including vegan counterparts — as well as salads, sides and a choice of seven sauces, according to London Standard. In their original tweet announcing the menu, they mentioned that their menu will include vegan and halal options, as reported by TheFoodXP.

How Did The Sidemen Create Their Fried Chicken Brand Sides?

As reported by The Independent,

“YouTube sensations The Sidemen are set to open their first standalone high street restaurant this year as part of plans to expand their Sides fried chicken brand. The YouTube collective 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 18.5 million subscribers”.

The Sidemen have a lot on their plate, literally as on 28 November 2021, they launched their food chain named Sides, according to TheFoodXP. SIDES was founded by the Sidemen in 2021 in collaboration with Scottish-headquartered Hero Brands, as reported by QSR-CNCT.

Yes that’s right it’s The Wingmen vs The Sidemen in the ultimate YouTube food battle for the ages, referencing the brand’s viral Manchester restaurant presence, according to a YouTube review video.

When Will Sides Open Its Second Scottish Location in Livingston?

As reported by franchising.com,

“The venues will be located in Glasgow’s St. Enoch shopping centre and Livingston Designer Outlet, bringing the newest brick-and-mortar restaurants in Sides’s portfolio, as opening dates will be disclosed in due course”.

According to the official Sides website, the Livingston location at Livingston Designer Outlet, Almondvale Ave, EH54 6QX opens August 2026.

What Is the Current Status of Glasgow’s Food and Restaurant Scene?

As reported by Design My Night,

“One of the best cities in the UK for great food and drink, it’s no secret that Glasgow has a lot going for it in the restaurant department. We’re already spoiled for choice when it comes to top-notch eateries, from Michelin-starred spots to affordable dining joints, but there’s always something new to try as well”.

According to analytics firm Meaningful Vision, the number of chicken shops has surged by 7.2% year-on-year, marking the fastest growth in the fast food sector, while other takeaway options only grew by 1.7%, as reported by BBC News.

St Enoch Centre is located at 55 St Enoch Square, Glasgow G1 4BW, UK, and operates open today from 9 AM–7 PM, according to Alchetron.

Where Else Can Customers Find Sides Hot Chicken Across the UK and Internationally?

According to the official Sides website, United Kingdom locations include Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex; Arndale Centre, Manchester; Boxpark Wembley, London; and the new Glasgow location at Floor 1, St Enoch Centre.

The brand also operates internationally with locations at Bugis+, Singapore (Daily 11am–10pm) and The Waves, Sentosa Island (Daily 10am–10pm), according to the Sides website.

Coming Soon locations in the United Kingdom include Liverpool ONE, Liverpool L1 8LT (Opens July 2026) and Cardiff City Centre, as listed on the official Sides website.

The openings represent a continued international push by the brand, which earlier this year opened a site with Bugis+, a 10-storey shopping centre in Singapore, according to Restaurant Online.

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How Does Sides Fit Into Glasgow’s City Centre Dining Options?

St Enoch Centre’s food court section shows the centre is open today from 09:00 – 01:00, with individual retailers’ exact times to be checked, according to the centre’s official eat page.

One of the best cities in the UK for great food and drink already has top-notch eateries from Michelin-starred spots to affordable dining joints, but there’s always something new to try, as reported by Design My Night.

Background of the Sides Glasgow Development

Sides hot chicken is coming to Glasgow as one of two new restaurants opening in Scotland, marking its entry into Scotland as part of a broader national growth strategy, according to Yahoo UK News.

The brand is set to open two new locations across Scotland in the first half of 2026 in Glasgow and Livingston, marking its first entry into the Scottish market, as reported by franchising.com.

Founded by the hugely popular YouTube collective Sidemen, Sides is bringing its cult-favourite hot chicken to Scotland for the very first time, and it’s chosen St. Enoch Centre for its debut, according to the St. Enoch Centre announcement.

Sides has announced a F&B expansion across Scotland as part of its national expansion strategy plan, according to WhichFranchise Scotland.

Prediction: How Will Sides’ Glasgow Opening affect Scottish Food Fans and Diners?

The arrival of Sides in Glasgow will directly affect Scottish food fans by providing their first access to the Sidemen’s cult-favourite hot chicken menu in Scotland, according to the St. Enoch Centre announcement.

Glasgow diners will benefit from expanded fast-casual dining options in the city centre, joining a restaurant scene that’s already spoiled for choice with top-notch eateries from Michelin-starred spots to affordable dining joints, as reported by Design My Night.

Scottish shoppers at St. Enoch Centre will experience enhanced food court options with the newest brick-and-mortar restaurant in Sides’s portfolio, bringing the brand’s signature hot chicken and famous flavours to Scotland for the first time, according to franchising.com.

The chicken shop sector’s 7.2% year-on-year surge, marking the fastest growth in British fast food, suggests Sides will compete in a rapidly expanding market that’s outpacing other takeaway options which only grew by 1.7%, as reported by BBC News.

Glasgow food fans seeking Nashville-style hot chicken dipped in paprika-spiced oil, crispy corn ribs, loaded waffle fries, chilli poppers, and mac and cheese bites will now have access to these signature items without traveling to London, Manchester, or Essex locations, according to The Caterer.

The Sidemen’s statement that “you’ve been asking for this for ages” indicates Scottish fans have actively requested the brand’s expansion, suggesting strong pre-existing demand that will likely translate to immediate customer interest upon opening, according to the official announcement.

With daily operating hours from 11 am–11 pm at the Glasgow location, Scottish diners will have extended access compared to some traditional restaurant hours, providing flexibility for lunch, dinner, and late-night dining options, according to the official Sides website.