Fast food giant Burger King is set to expand its presence in the UK by opening 30 new locations annually. With a current total of 574 restaurants in the country, the chain aims to kick off this expansion starting next year, focusing on self-operated sites rather than franchise operations.

Despite facing economic challenges, Burger King has reported strong sales performance. The company noted signs of improvement in its latest results, attributing this progress to a slowdown in inflation. However, it acknowledged the impact of financial pressures on consumers and increased costs related to last year’s budget on the UK hospitality industry.

Alasdair Murdoch, CEO of Burger King UK, highlighted the ongoing challenges in the sector, including rising labor costs due to minimum wage hikes. In a strategic move, Burger King partnered with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay in September to introduce an £11 wagyu burger.

The company’s financial results for the past year revealed robust trading, surpassing $1 billion (£748 million) in system-wide sales in the UK. Additionally, Burger King UK extended its franchise rights to the Republic of Ireland for the first time, opening up new growth opportunities.

In 2024, the company reported a 7% revenue increase to £408.3 million, with underlying profits rising by 12% to £26 million, credited to disciplined cost management. Mr. Murdoch expressed satisfaction with the solid performance and strategic advancements in 2024, emphasizing revenue growth, positive sales trends, and enhanced operational efficiency amid economic challenges.