Black and White Burger, Gladale, Chicken Street: these new brands rising in 2026

In a market dominated by giants, three new brands stand out in 2026 by their explosive growth: Black and White Burger, Gladale, and Chicken Street. These emerging brands represent opportunities for investors and franchisees who want to enter the beginning of a growth curve.

Black and White Burger: the rising smash burger. Inspired by American smash burgers, Black and White Burger offers burgers made with crushed beef patties cooked at high temperatures, creating a unique caramelization. With 20-40 restaurants, the brand is still in a growth phase. Franchise investment: affordable (100-200k€). Potential: strong if the concept is standardized correctly.

Why the smash burger is a hit: the smash burger trend is a global undercurrent. In France, consumers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and appreciate the unique texture of these burgers. Photos on social media (the “cheese pull” and caramelization) generate natural viral marketing.

Gladale: the chicken champion in dark kitchens. Gladale realized that the future lies in the combination of dark kitchens + digital. The brand operates from shared kitchens in major cities, with a full focus on platforms. Advantage: low investment, rapid scalability. Disadvantage: no physical presence, therefore less spontaneous notoriety.

Chicken Street: the most accessible franchise opportunity right now. With 50-70 restaurants and a 40% annual growth rate, Chicken Street is likely the best franchise opportunity for an investor with 100-200k€ in 2026. The brand is in an ideal zone: well-known enough to have concept validation, but still growing so that the best locations aren’t all taken.

How to evaluate a rising brand. Before investing in a burgeoning franchise, check: the profitability of initial franchises (ask the franchisor), the quality of support (training, marketing, logistics), the exit conditions of the contract if it doesn’t work, and the financial stability of the franchisor.

Our recommendation: if you have a good location (dense commercial area, university nearby, city center with high pedestrian traffic), Chicken Street is a sure thing in 2026. Black and White Burger is interesting if you are willing to take a bit more risk for a more differentiating brand.