Wed 10th Sep 2025 - Kuvi Hospitality signs first franchise agreement, to bring Miami’s Coyo Taco to the UK Kuvi Hospitality signs first franchise agreement, to bring Miami’s Coyo Taco to the UK: Kuvi Hospitality, the London-based hospitality investment platform led by Shereen Ritchie, has signed its first franchise agreement, and will bring Miami’s Coyo Taco to the UK. Kuvi Hospitality, which last week hired former Leon managing director and Buns from Home chief executive Ritchie as its chief executive, is already in advanced negotiations to secure a flagship London site. This will serve as the launchpad for Coyo Taco’s UK expansion, with the first site is expected to open in early 2026. Founded in 2015 in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District by Alan Drummond, Sven Vogtland and chef Scott Linquist, Coyo Taco offers a menu of hand-pressed tortillas, vibrant salsas and authentic Mexican street food. Beyond the food, Coyo Taco is known for its high-energy speakeasy, intimate mezcal bar, where live DJs and late-night parties “fuse food, music and culture into an unforgettable experience”. From its Wynwood flagship, Coyo Taco has built “a loyal local following and global recognition through social media”, including a strong Instagram community. Former US president Barack Obama is among those to have sampled its tacos. The brand has already expanded internationally, with 11 locations worldwide including six in the US and further sites in Panama, Portugal, Columbia and the Dominican Republic. Ritchie said: “Coyo Taco is more than a restaurant – it’s a cultural experience. The freshness of the food, the vibrancy of the speakeasy and the authenticity of its Mexican roots make it stand out from anything else in the UK market. It’s soulful, fun and full of energy. We believe Coyo Taco will strike a powerful chord with Londoners and has the potential to thrive nationwide.” Vogtland addted: “From the outset, we knew Kuvi was the right partner. There was instant chemistry and a clear understanding of our brand. Kuvi combines proven leadership, ambition and strong financial backing, giving us complete confidence in their ability to grow Coyo Taco in the UK with integrity and vision.” Founded by Kuvi Capital, the family office of hedge fund manager Vikram Kumar, Kuvi Hospitality was created to build a bridge between high-performing US dining brands and international markets with strong appetite for new concepts. Ritchie will lead Kuvi’s brand selection and franchise partnerships while developing the “Kuvigo-to-market playbook”. The updated Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers today (Wednesday, 10 September), at noon. This edition features 14 new additions, bringing the total number of featured companies to 370, with more than 213,000 words of content. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.