Rocket Restaurants Set Sail For European Expansion Adventure

Rocket restaurants leaves its native Ireland to partner with one of the world’s leading catering operators in Europe.

Rocket’s, the restaurant brand known as fast and casual has signed a new franchise deal with one of the world’s leading operators in the catering and support services industry. Arias, a subsidiary of Elior Deutschland GmbH headquartered in Cologne, Germany, has signed a license agreement with Rocket Restaurants Limited.

Arias and Rocket Restaurants will kick off the agreement by identifying suitable flagship locations at main transport hubs and shopping centres across Germany. Once these have been selected, the launch of the fast casual food eateries will be underway. Rocket Restaurant’s specialises in made-to-order Irish beef hamburgers, chicken tenders, milkshakes and fries and it has become a hit since it was launched in 2014. Rocket Restaurants shares the spotlight with its Eddie Rochet’s casual diner chain which has been around since 1989. With 51 restaurants, 27 of which are owned and operated by franchisees, Rocket Restaurants is ripe for new markets.

Rocket Restaurant’s managing director, Niall Fortune, said: “We are thrilled to have secured a reliable partner to launch the very successful Rocket’s concept into the German market. We are convinced that Areas is the ideal partner to establish Rocket’s on a long-term and sustainable basis in Germany. Areas is experienced in building brand awareness and market share in a highly competitive but lucrative European market.”

Chief executive officer Elior Deutschland, André Laroche, added: "We are delighted that Rocket Restaurants has chosen Areas as their managing partner for Germany. Rocket’s is an urban, premium burger brand and suitable for locations at shopping centres, train stations and airports. We are certain that the Rocket’s brand will take the highly competitive German market by storm.”