Burger King UK has announced it will open approximately 30 new restaurants annually from 2026, with an emphasis on company-owned locations in as part of an ambitious growth strategy.
The fast-food chain, which currently operates 574 outlets across Britain, is pressing ahead with expansion despite acknowledging difficult trading conditions.
Alasdair Murdoch, chief executive of Burger King UK, said: “While inflation in food and utility costs has returned to more normal levels, the sector continues to face softer consumer sentiment and rising labour costs following significant increases in the national minimum wage and national living wage.”
Budget-related cost increases have also weighed on the wider hospitality industry, the company noted.
The expansion announcement accompanied strong financial results for 2024, with the company reporting revenues climbed 7 per cent to reach £408.3 million.
Comparable sales advanced by 4.5 per cent to £347million, with home delivery and targeted marketing driving the improvement.
Underlying earnings increased by 12 per cent to £26million, which the company attributed to tight cost management.
Mr Murdoch added: “I am pleased to report another year of solid performance and strategic progress for Burger King UK in 2024.”
Burger King UK plans to open about 30 new restaurants a year from 2026, focusing on company‑owned sites
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He noted the business had achieved revenue growth and improved underlying Ebitda (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) through “disciplined cost management and operational focus”, despite macroeconomic headwinds.
Trading during 2025 has proven robust, with the business achieving a significant milestone by exceeding $1billion in system-wide sales across the United Kingdom.
The company has also secured fresh opportunities for growth beyond British shores.
Burger King UK signed an agreement this year to extend its franchise rights into the Republic of Ireland for the first time, opening up a new market for the brand.
Burger King UK signed a deal this year to extend its franchise rights into the Republic of Ireland for the first time, opening a new market for the brand
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The chain pointed to easing inflationary pressures as evidence of improving conditions, noting further positive signs across its operations this year despite the ongoing challenges facing consumer spending.
The news comes as Bridgepoint, the private equity owner of Burger King UK, injected millions of pounds of fresh capital into the business.
This comes as part of a deal that will keep their partnership in place well into the 2040s.
The firm has provided an additional £15million in recent days, with up to £20million more expected to follow over the next 18 months, according to Sky.
The investment comes alongside an extension of Burger King UK’s Master Franchise Agreement with a Restaurant Brands International subsidiary, now running to 2044
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The investment accompanies an extension of Burger King UK’s Master Franchise Agreement with a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International, now running until 2044, in a move said to bring its financial stakeholders into closer alignment.
Burger King operates around 575 sites across Britain and employs about 12,000 staff.
In results published this week, the company reported a “solid performance amid sector headwinds” during 2024.
The move lands at a difficult moment for the UK hospitality industry, with casual dining groups TGI Fridays and Leon both filing notices to appoint administrators in recent days.
Sector leaders warn that last month’s Budget has heaped further cost pressures on operators.