Burger King, a leading fast-food chain, has revealed its strategy to open 30 new locations annually in the UK to facilitate swift expansion. With 574 existing UK restaurants, the company plans to initiate this expansion starting next year, with a particular emphasis on managing the new sites directly rather than through franchisees.
Despite facing challenging economic conditions, Burger King reported strong sales performance. The company noted positive signs of progress within its operations this year, attributing it to a slowdown in inflation. However, it acknowledged the impact of financial strain on customers and increased costs due to last year’s Budget on the UK hospitality industry.
Alasdair Murdoch, Burger King UK’s CEO, highlighted the return of food and utility cost inflation to normal levels but emphasized ongoing challenges in the sector, such as subdued consumer sentiment and escalating labor expenses following minimum wage hikes.
In a notable collaboration, Burger King partnered with renowned chef Gordon Ramsay in September to introduce an £11 wagyu burger. The company reported robust trading in 2025, surpassing $1 billion in system-wide sales in the UK. Additionally, it expanded its franchise rights to the Republic of Ireland, opening up new avenues for growth.
Financially, Burger King recorded a 7% revenue increase to £408.3 million in 2024, accompanied by a 12% rise in underlying profits to £26 million through prudent cost management practices. Mr. Murdoch expressed satisfaction with the company’s solid performance and strategic advancement in 2024, highlighting revenue growth, positive like-for-like sales, and enhanced EBITDA as outcomes of disciplined cost control measures.