Top 4 Burger Franchises in the UK

Alice Tuffery, writer

Published at 30/04/2018, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Top 4 Burger Franchises in the UK — Photo © burger-franchise-opportunities.jpg

Fast food makes up a key part of the food service industry - and, within it, burger franchises are a consumer favourite. If you’re interested in running your own business with the franchising model, starting a hamburger restaurant could be the way to go.

The franchise world is home to a fantastic range of quick service restaurant businesses, a sub-sector thriving across the UK. In recent years, the fast food industry in particular has seen great success; it’s doubled its growth rate, and has an estimated value of just under £10 billion.

Two of the UK’s biggest burger franchises, McDonald’s and KFC, were among the top four most Googled takeaway companies in 2020 (Insurance Revolution). And in the first half of 2020, the delivery giant Just Eat reported a 44 percent year-on-year revenue increase, driven by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Why start a burger franchise business?

Fast food is in high demand - Despite many consumers’ growing preference for healthier menu options, fast food remains incredibly popular among people in the UK. In fact, the average Brit consumes just under a kilo of burgers outside of the home every year (Statista).

You can offer dine-in, collection and delivery options - Restaurants can develop multiple income streams by offering collection and delivery services. The Covid-19 pandemic pushed burger franchises to offer takeaway options, which were warmly welcomed by consumers.

You can save on costs - Depending on the franchise you join, you could save money by hiring young, temporary workers and only offering collection and delivery services.

Top burger franchise opportunities in the UK

1. Loaded Burgers

This UK restaurant chain serves high-quality, meaty burgers with a large selection of toppings, and is proud not to offer the ‘sad’ processed patties sold by other companies. Since 2014, it’s been welcoming customers into its relaxed dining spaces.

The burger franchise is also dedicated to making sure a large proportion of consumers can enjoy its meals, so all its meat is approved by the Halal Food Certification.

Becoming a Loaded Burgers franchisee: If you want to join the brand, you’ll need good managerial skills and a passion for the food service industry.

How much you need to invest: An investment of £150,000 will give you access to the company’s franchise package.

What you get for your investment: All franchisees are enrolled onto a training programme and receive support in marketing and sales.

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2. Rocket’s

Rocket’s, is a fast-casual burger brand with a franchising history stretching back 27 years. It currently has a network of 51 restaurants and serves “hamburgers, fries, hand-dipped milkshakes and buttermilk chicken; all made fresh-to-order from open-view kitchens”.

The Rocket’s business model balances high quality with convenience. All its burgers are made with premium Irish meat, which is never frozen. Even more impressively, all meals are made to order and served within just six minutes.

Becoming a Rocket’s franchisee: The restaurant franchise prefers investors to have previous experience in the industry, but this isn’t essential. It’s more important you’re a savvy business person with commitment to the brand.

How much you need to invest: The amount you’ll pay will depend on the type of restaurant you launch, but you can expect to invest around £200,000.

What you get for your investment: Rocket’s will be on hand to help you find your perfect premises.

>> Read more:

3. Five Guys

Five Guys truly cares about the quality of its food, which is why it cooks its Irish beef patties from scratch, without the use of frozen ingredients. What’s more, customers can customise their menu choices; there are more than 250,000 burger, hotdog and sandwich topping combinations, and 1,000 different milkshake flavour blends.

Becoming a Five Guys franchisee: If you’re passionate about the fast food industry and have a knack for business management, you could make a great Five Guys franchisee.

How much you need to invest: You’ll need to be able to put between £300,000 and £550,000 towards your new venture.

What you get for your investment: From the very start, you’ll receive all the technical support you need. On-site training lasts for two weeks, and is followed by additional support across a wide variety of different business areas.

4. Wimpy

This iconic brand strives for excellent service, exceptional food and great value for money, which has helped it develop a large and loyal customer base over its years in operation. Since it was founded in 1934, the restaurant chain has created a network of more than 1,000 branches across 23 countries. Wimpy first came to the UK in 1954, when it set up a site in Lyon’s Corner House in London.

Although the franchise is most famous for its burgers, it serves a wide selection of different items. The menu includes jacket potatoes, all-day breakfasts, cod and chips and chicken plates, as well as cheese toasties, toasted tea cakes, mozzarella sticks and onion rings.

Becoming a Wimpy franchisee: If you’re enthusiastic about providing high-quality, affordable meals in your local area and you have previous managerial experience, you probably fit Wimpy’s selection criteria.

How much you need to invest: It will cost you £220,000 to launch your own 60-seat Wimpy restaurant, and £80,000 for an express unit. Both options include a £10,000 franchise fee.

What you get for your investment: Before you open up your restaurant, you’ll take part in a two-week skills programme at the Academy Training Store. You’ll also get ongoing support in areas such as marketing, advertisement, sales and customer relations, and receive regular visits from your assigned district manager.

Start your own burger franchise business

Running your own business with a fast food franchise is a great way to access high profit potential and operate at the heart of your community.

View the full selection of burger franchise opportunities currently on the market right here at Point Franchise - or widen your search to include investment openings in the fast food sector.