Burger King, a leading fast food chain, has unveiled its strategy to expand rapidly in the UK by opening 30 new locations annually. With 574 existing restaurants in the UK, the company plans to kick off this expansion in the coming year, focusing on establishing and operating these new sites themselves rather than through franchisees.
Despite economic challenges, Burger King reported strong sales performance, citing ongoing improvement across its business operations amidst a backdrop of easing inflation. However, the company acknowledged the impact of financial pressures on consumers and rising costs associated with the previous year’s Budget on the hospitality sector.
Alasdair Murdoch, the CEO of Burger King UK, highlighted the sector’s ongoing challenges such as increasing labor costs due to rises in minimum wage rates. In a notable move, Burger King partnered with renowned chef Gordon Ramsay in September to introduce an £11 wagyu burger.
The company disclosed that its trading in 2025 remained robust, surpassing $1 billion in system-wide sales in the UK. Additionally, Burger King extended its franchise rights to the Republic of Ireland for the first time, signaling new growth opportunities.
Financially, the firm reported a 7% revenue increase to £408.3 million in 2024, with underlying profits climbing by 12% to £26 million, attributed to rigorous cost management practices. Mr. Murdoch expressed satisfaction with the company’s solid performance and strategic advancements in 2024, emphasizing revenue growth, positive sales trends, and enhanced operational efficiency despite economic headwinds and cost pressures in the industry.