A family recipe, one Canterbury shopfront, and a franchise built on training

Canterbury, Kent. Almost a year after opening its first shop, Lookumades UK is inviting applications from people who want to build the brand in their own town.

Lookumades UK is an independent Greek dessert brand in Canterbury, Kent, serving loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) and franchising across the UK and Ireland. It is owned outright by its founders and is not affiliated with any other brand or overseas franchisor.

The business began with a recipe handed down through the family of founder Adam Papa-Adams. Before Lookumades, Adam spent 24 years owning and running hotels in the United Kingdom and Cyprus, taking five properties from site decision to opening day. He brought the same operating discipline to the family recipe, which was adapted and tested before the Canterbury flagship opened in November 2025.

“Hotels taught me that a great product counts for nothing if the system behind it depends on one person. We took my family’s recipe and wrote down everything around it, so a franchise partner can run it properly from the first day.”

Adam runs the business with his business partner, Cliff White, who has around forty years in the franchise sector as a franchisee, franchise consultant, council chair, entrepreneur and franchisor. Together they have built the franchise model around training and culture.

“Anyone can copy a playbook. They can’t copy a team that has been trained properly and looked after. Training comes first, culture comes first, and there is zero tolerance for toxic behaviour anywhere in the business.”

Two formats are available: a compact kiosk designed for high footfall sites, and a full store. New partners open with trainers in store and marketing active from day one.

Lookumades UK is the first brand to partner with Blitz Franchise Ireland, a new franchise development agency that will support the brand’s expansion across the UK and Ireland. The founders chose Blitz for its energy and ambition as a young business entering the market, qualities they recognise in themselves.

“I love the brand and the energy behind it. You know when you are dealing with professionals. Anyone who meets Adam and Cliff knows they are in good hands with these two passionate operators.”

Prospective partners begin with a short application and a mutual NDA, followed by a discovery day at the Canterbury flagship, where they meet the founders and see the business trading. Detailed figures are shared after the NDA.