FROM GENERAL MANAGER TO OWNER-OPERATOR: MEL'S SHEFFIELD SUCCESS
After managing one of URBAN's busiest locations, Meliha (Mel) made the leap into franchise ownership - and hasn't looked back. With a prime spot on Sheffield's Ecclesall Road, she's building a thriving business backed by a brand she knows inside out. Here's how she did it.
Opened: December 2024 | ROI forecast: <20 months
When Mel Candir first considered becoming a franchisee, she saw a golden opportunity: URBAN Fresh Burgers & Fries, a brand she already knew and loved, was opening up to franchise partners.
With a prime site on Sheffield’s busy Ecclesall Road – an area packed with students and young professionals – Mel recongised the potential straight away. Just six months on from her launch, her site is seeing month-on-month sales growth and is on track to deliver a full return on investment in under 20 months.
“It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” says Mel. “The support, training and systems have been exceptional since day one – from finding just the right location to fitting out the store and growing the business week by week. The model works, and that gives you the confidence to back yourself.”
HOLLY
Burger was very delicious, it tasted fresh with large variety of toppings to choose from. Chips that came with it were homemade, very crispy and flavourful. Staff were friendly and patient. Plenty of space to sit and excellent value for money.
KAY
Hands down the best burger I’ve tried, Urban is a must-try! The patties are juicy, the toppings are fresh, and the flavors are on point. Perfectly cooked, served with crispy fries, and made with quality ingredients. Great service, great vibes
MAX
Food arrives quickly and was still lovely and hot. Extremely tasty and has quickly become one of favourite spots in town. For the times I’ve been into the restaurant it is always super clean and the service is always top tier. 10/10 would recommend to anyone
FROM TEAM MEMBER TO OWNER
Mel isn’t new to the food industry. She previously ran a takeaway with her husband before joining URBAN as a General Manager, where she spent several years immersed in day to day operations. That time on the inside showed her just how efficient the URBAN model was – and just how much potential the brand had. So when the franchise opportunity opened up, she didn’t hesitate.
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“I’d already seen how it all worked. I knew the systems were solid, and I believed in the brand.”
It’s the strength of those systems that helped Mel hit the ground running. URBAN’s operational set up includes a full tech stack with real-time sales dashboards, customer insight tools, and a centralised supply chain that keeps things simple and scalable. Everything’s in place to help franchisees to grow, from data that supports smart decisions to a reliable supply chain that frees up time to focus on service.
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While Mel brought plenty of hospitality experience to the table, she’s quick to credit the training and support she’s received from the URBAN team at HQ as a key part of her smooth transition to ownership. URBAN’s seven-week training covers everything from leadership and operations to compliance and marketing.
“I’ve never felt on my own. There’s always someone to call, whether it’s about a new marketing opportunity or just a quick sense-check.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Mel feels confident about the future – not just for her site, but for her life. As a parent, she says the structure and predictability that comes with owning a franchise has helped her find a better work-life balance.
“It’s still hard work, but I’m not constantly firefighting. There’s real structure here, and that gives you headspace.”
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While she’s currently focused on making her Sheffield site the best it can be, she’s open-minded about what the future might hold. “The systems are definitely in place to make multi-site ownership not just possible, but successful, and I can see how someone could grow quickly with the right focus. Knowing that option is available is really empowering.”