The business transfer agent, SBS Commercial, said chippies had emerged as the type of business people most want to own, after the firm compiled a list of the region's top-selling businesses in terms of the number of transactions completed over the past 12 months.
There are now 11,500 fish and chip shops in the UK, which serve up around 49,200 tonnes of fish annually. A staggering 439 million chip shop meals were eaten last year, making it the most popular takeaway choice for Brits.
John Gower, operations director at SBS Commercial, said: "Despite trends towards healthier eating, chip shops are still very much in demand.
"Brits continue to treat themselves to a fish supper at least once a week, with most purchases being made on a Friday night. Valued at around £1 billion, the fish and chip shop sector is very lucrative, meaning chippies are snapped up extremely quickly when put on to the market."
The news comes following a warning from experts that fish and chips could be wiped off the menu by 2048 because of global warming and pollution. If seafood continues to decline at the present rate, there will be little left in 40 years' time, leaving Brits without their favourite dish.
Second on the list were sandwich shops followed by restaurants, newsagents, freehold empty premises and cafes. Others in the top 10 list were care homes, day nurseries, guest houses and hotels and freehold convenience stores.