Burger King, a prominent fast-food chain, has revealed its strategy to expand rapidly in the UK by opening 30 new locations annually. Currently operating 574 restaurants in the UK, Burger King plans to kick off this expansion initiative starting next year, focusing on self-operated sites rather than franchise-operated ones.
The decision to expand comes as Burger King reports strong sales performance despite facing what it described as a challenging economic environment. The company’s recent financial results show positive trends, indicating a slowdown in inflation. However, it also acknowledges the impact of financial strain on customers and rising operational costs related to last year’s Budget announcements affecting the hospitality sector in the UK.
Alasdair Murdoch, the CEO of Burger King UK, noted the return of food and utility cost inflation to normal levels but highlighted ongoing challenges such as softer consumer sentiment and increased labor costs due to raises in the national minimum wage and national living wage.
Earlier this year, Burger King made headlines by partnering with renowned chef Gordon Ramsay to introduce an exclusive £11 wagyu burger. The company reported robust trading in 2025, surpassing $1 billion (£748 million) in system-wide sales in the UK. Additionally, Burger King extended its franchise rights to the Republic of Ireland for the first time, paving the way for further growth 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, attributed to prudent cost management strategies.
Mr. Murdoch expressed satisfaction with Burger King UK’s performance in 2024, emphasizing revenue growth, positive like-for-like sales, and enhanced underlying EBITDA through diligent cost controls and operational focus, despite the challenging economic landscape.
The news of Burger King’s expansion plans and financial achievements demonstrate its resilience and strategic advancement in the competitive fast-food industry.