Honest Burgers beefs up UK expansion

A burger chain is set to grow its national footprint.

Honest Burgers is acquiring 12 Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) sites across the UK, increasing its restaurant portfolio to more than 50 locations. 

Bosses say the move will extend the brand’s presence in London and introduce Honest Burgers to new customers across the Midlands, the South East and East Anglia.

They add that the acquisition is part of Honest Burgers’ accelerated growth phase within its 2030 strategy, supported by new funding from existing shareholders and a senior debt package from OakNorth. 

The investment will also go toward a state-of-the-art central prep kitchen, enabling the brand to maintain its commitment to freshly prepared dishes made entirely from scratch each day.

Matt Brandon, chief executive of Honest Burgers, said: “Growing our footprint is a key priority for the brand, and the new investment and refinancing is a vote of confidence in the business following a fantastic commercial performance last financial year. 

“We are delighted to add brand-new locations to our group and welcome a whole new team into Honest to share our passion for great quality burgers, fantastic hospitality and exceptional value for our customers.”

Thomas Kelly, chair of Honest Burgers Board, added: “This acquisition is an important step in our strategic plan to quadruple the size of our business over the next five years. 

“We’re excited about the journey ahead and the opportunity this brings.”

Stuart Blair, debt finance director at OakNorth, added: “Honest Burgers is a standout brand in the UK casual dining space, combining strong values with operational excellence and a loyal customer following. 

“We’ve been impressed by the team’s disciplined approach to growth, their consistent performance post-Covid, and their innovation. 

“We’re proud to support them as they scale to the next level.”

All newly acquired sites will be converted into Honest Burgers restaurants, offering signature menu items including the original Honest Burger, rosemary salted chips and the popular Smashed range. 

Local partnerships, such as collaborations with nearby breweries, will continue to form part of the brand’s approach to supporting local communities.

Founded in Brighton by friends Tom Barton and Philip Eeles in 2009, Honest Burgers now operates 39 restaurants in England and Wales, including London, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester and Windsor, making it one of the UK’s fastest-growing premium burger brands.

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