Burger King, a leading fast-food chain, has revealed its ambitious strategy to open 30 new locations annually in the UK to drive rapid growth. With a current presence of 574 restaurants in the UK, the company aims to kick off this expansion plan starting next year, focusing on operating the new sites themselves rather than through franchisees.
Despite facing economic challenges, Burger King reported strong sales performance in its recent results. The company noted improvements in its overall business operations, attributing the positive trend partly to a slowdown in inflation. However, it also acknowledged the impact of financial pressures on customers and cost escalations related to last year’s Budget on the UK hospitality industry.
Alasdair Murdoch, the CEO of Burger King UK, highlighted the industry’s ongoing challenges, including rising labor costs and softer consumer sentiment despite a return to normal levels of food and utility inflation. In a significant move, Burger King partnered with renowned chef Gordon Ramsay in September to introduce an exclusive £11 wagyu burger.
The company marked a successful trading year in 2025, surpassing $1 billion (£748 million) in system-wide sales across the UK. Additionally, Burger King extended its franchise rights to the Republic of Ireland for the first time, paving the way for further expansion opportunities.
In its financial report for the previous year, Burger King disclosed a 7% revenue increase to £408.3 million in 2024, with underlying profits climbing by 12% to £26 million. Mr. Murdoch expressed satisfaction with the company’s solid performance and strategic advancements, emphasizing revenue growth, positive like-for-like sales, and enhanced EBITDA through prudent cost management and operational efficiency.