After more than two decades in high-end kitchens, chef Jonas Lodge from Woking, Surrey, decided to channel his culinary expertise into a venture that was entirely his own: Clucking Crispy Chicken. Offering authentic American-tasting double fried chicken with all the trimmings, Jonas had found his niche.

But transforming a fine dining career into a thriving delivery business required more than skill—it required funding and support. That’s where Let’s Do Business Finance, the local delivery partner for the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loan Scheme in Surrey, helped to bring Jonas’ vision for Clucking Crispy Chicken to life in the summer of 2024.

Already a Hen-sation: Jonas’ Culinary Career

Jonas’ career began under the guidance of Raymond Blanc at Brasserie Blanc in Oxford, laying a foundation in precision and flavour. Over the years, he went on to work with top chefs across the UK and Europe, including:

Sergi Arola, Spanish Michelin-starred chef
Paul Heathcote, award-winning Michelin-starred chef
Heston Blumenthal, renowned for innovative cuisine

Over the years, Jonas ran his own kitchens, earning two AA Red Rosettes and being named AA Pub of the Year in 2017 and 2018. After working stints in top restaurants in Madrid, San Sebastian and Wiltshire, he took the plunge and opened his own fine dining restaurant in Cheltenham, GL50 – which received mentions in Michelin Guide from 2020. With the arrival of the pandemic, GL50 closed its doors – but Jonas’ passion for cooking persisted.

Frying new things

Rather than slowing down, Jonas pivoted – now with a drive to delve into unchartered waters for his career so far. Wanting to experiment to find unique flavours and textures to put his own spin on fried chicken – and put it on the map in Surrey and beyond. Finding a secret mix of flours, seasonings and technique, Jonas began testing the waters for his recipes at festivals, pop-ups and private events – with his crispy, flavour-packed creations quickly proving that fine-dining techniques could thrive in comfort food.

Egg-spanding opportunities

To take Clucking Crispy Chicken to the masses, Jonas needed to scale – and firstly needed a professional space to operate from. He came across the opportunity to lease a ghost kitchen in Byfleet, Surrey, ran from a local village hall, where he would be able to operate a delivery service to his customers and keep his overheads manageable while the business grew.

Find Clucking Crispy on Instagram at @CluckingCrispyChicken

Having already had experience running his own kitchens, Jonas knew he needed funding to get Clucking Crispy off the ground. Aware of the Start Up Loan Scheme from the British Business Bank, Jonas began his search and connected with Let’s Do Business Finance as his local lender for the scheme.

After working with Business Finance Manager Martin Menezies and Lisa Gray from Let’s Do Business Finance, Jonas secured the funding needed to:

Secure the rent on the ghost kitchen, creating a space to produce Clucking Crispy Chicken and offer local deliveries from
Invest in branding and marketing, from funky delivery packaging to a professional website
Focus on menu development and service growth in the beginning stages

“The Start Up Loan gave me the breathing space to focus on the product and the brand. It allowed me to build and market a business that reflects my values—great food, made properly.”

— Jonas Lodge, Founder of Clucking Crispy Chicken

Now, Clucking Crispy Chicken delivers to Byfleet, Woking, and Cobham via Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat. Jonas’ menu combines culinary precision with comfort food appeal, with mouthwatering options such as:

Boneless chicken thigh, southern fried in a buttermilk coating, served in brioche buns with homemade ranch dressing
Gluten-free options for both chicken and buns
Fries, sweet potato fries, dips, drinks, and cookies, including indulgent creations with double chocolate, Ruby chocolate, rose petal, or a gluten-free option with raisin, oat, vanilla, and walnuts
Meal deals for complete, convenient orders

Jonas explains: “I am passionate about creating memorable flavours which bring customers back. The coating on the chicken, along with the sauces and accompaniments, really sets the taste buds tingling. After testing lots of flours, I found the best coating is a mix of gluten-free flours.”

“Perfection is lots of small things done well”

— Jonas' favourite quote and mantra, a quote from Heston Blumenthal

Supporting Start-Ups

Let’s Do Business Finance is proud to be the local lender for aspiring and new businesses across Surrey and the wider South & East of England. Through the Start Up Loan Scheme, we provide:

Loans of up to £25,000 for businesses under three years old
Expert guidance, mentoring, and local support alongside funding
Access to flexible finance for equipment, space, branding, and growth

“Jonas’ story is a perfect example of how creativity and a passion for what you do can transform a challenge into a thriving business,” says Martin, Business Finance Manager at Let’s Do Business Group. “Jonas had a really clear plan for costs and how he could make his idea work in his application for finance, which really impressed us. We were delighted to be able to help him get the business going through the Start Up Loan scheme – if not a little bit jealous of the people of Surrey who would get to taste his creations!”

Looking Ahead

With his Byfleet base established and growing a customer base, Jonas is focused on scaling Clucking Crispy Chicken. From expanding delivery reach to new event partnerships, the future looks crispy, delicious, and full of flavour.

As Jonas says: “I want to get Clucking Crispy to the whole of Surrey in the next 2 years!”

Frying high with Let’s Do Business Finance

Let’s Do Business Finance is an accredited delivery partner for the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loan Scheme, supporting new businesses under three years old across Surrey and the South & East of England. We provide loans of up to £25,000, coupled with mentoring, guidance, and local expertise to help entrepreneurs turn ideas into reality.

Learn more about Start Up Loans from Let’s Do Business Finance