Spud Bros, the family-run jacket potato business that began with a cart on Preston Flag Market in 1955, has grown into a food empire whose new North East branch drew queues of up to 14 hours. The second Spud Bros Express opened this week at EG On The Move in Rainton, with siblings Jacob and Harley Nelson, who run the company, in Tyne & Wear for the launch.
A Family History Since 1955
The business has been in the family since Ernie Rhodes set up his hot potato cart on the Preston Flag Market in 1955. Since 2020, Jacob and his younger brother Harley have expanded it to towns and cities across the UK, with growing demand for new Spud Bros Express stores.
Jacob told The Chronicle: "It's been a mad six years. We're just two lads from Preston and we use Preston potatoes wherever we can. There's definitely a lot of love for jacket potatoes in the north, much more than the south."
Celebrity Fans and Long Queues
The brothers said they were surprised by the response to the Rainton launch, which saw customers queue for 12 to 14 hours. Jacob, unable to attend because his daughter was ill, said: "I got to watch it from the sidelines and see all the videos and the articles - it's crazy that we've got people willing to queue up for 12-14 hours. We don't ask anyone to do that as the Express stores are serving all the time, but we really appreciate all the love and the support."
Celebrities who have eaten at Spud Bros include Will Smith, Liam Neeson, Phil Foden and Anastacia. Harley noted that the singer "was left outside alone!" He added: "To get people so well known to know who we are has been so lovely. It is nuts that our little business from Preston has been heard about by people like that."
Signature Dishes and Future Plans
Among the toppings on offer, Jacob, a former chef, picked garlic chilli chicken as his favourite, while both brothers recommended the classic cheese and beans with their three-cheese mix and signature Tram sauce.
Looking ahead, Spud Bros was invited to be involved in the F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone this summer and plans to expand into the UAE. New Express locations continue to be announced on the company's social media pages.
