Burger King UK Prepares for Expansion with £150m Refinancing Deal
Posted by Emma on 21st Mar 2025 Reading Time:
Burger King UK, the master franchisee of one of Britain’s most recognisable fast food brands, is preparing to enter talks with lenders as it pursues a major refinancing package to support a bold new phase of growth.
The fast food chain—backed by the private equity firm Bridgepoint—is aiming to secure an additional £40 million in borrowing capacity. This new facility would supplement an existing £110 million in debt and help fund a strategic business plan designed to accelerate Burger King UK’s expansion and modernisation.
The refinancing move comes nearly eight years after Bridgepoint acquired the UK operations of the brand. Since then, the company has expanded significantly and now directly owns just over half of the 600 Burger King outlets across the country, with the remainder run by franchisees.
As part of its broader investment plan, Bridgepoint has already injected £35 million in fresh equity into the business. The ambition is clear: open more than 30 new restaurants while remodelling 50 existing locations to align with evolving consumer expectations and enhance brand appeal.
Sources close to the business indicate that Burger King UK has been outperforming the wider Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) market in terms of like-for-like sales growth. Key to this success has been a dual-pronged product strategy. The premium Gourmet Kings range has appealed to consumers willing to spend more for higher-quality offerings, while the value menu has gained traction with price-conscious customers navigating a tough economic climate.
Innovative promotional campaigns have also helped sustain engagement. A recent initiative—Whopper Day—offered customers a free burger when downloading the Burger King app, driving both digital adoption and footfall.
Investment bank DC Advisory is supporting the refinancing process alongside Bridgepoint and Burger King UK. While the business has previously been linked to a potential sale or public offering, no exit appears imminent at this stage.
As the fast food sector continues to evolve, Burger King UK’s refinancing efforts reflect a broader appetite for growth in a highly competitive market. Whether through digital innovation, product diversification or store upgrades, the chain appears to be positioning itself as a formidable force in the British QSR landscape.