Honest Burgers Expands with Acquisition of 12 GBK Sites
Posted by Emma on 30th Sep 2025 Reading Time:
Honest Burgers has acquired 12 Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) restaurants for an undisclosed sum, signalling a significant step in its long-term growth strategy.
The purchase was made possible through fresh investment from shareholders and a senior debt package provided by OakNorth. Funding will also support the creation of a new central kitchen, where food will be prepared from scratch daily, reflecting the company’s commitment to quality and consistency.
Honest Burgers confirmed that the newly acquired GBK venues will be converted into its own restaurants. The business also emphasised its intention to work closely with local partners, including breweries, in line with its focus on community engagement.
Chief executive Matt Brandon described the deal as a vital part of the company’s 2030 strategy, highlighting the move as a “vote of confidence in the business following a fantastic commercial performance last financial year.” Chair of the board, Thomas Kelly, added that the acquisition is central to Honest Burgers’ ambition to quadruple the size of the business within the next five years.
For GBK, the deal reflects a shift in direction. Owned by Boparan Restaurants since 2020, the chain is now concentrating its efforts on delivery. The decision follows steady financial improvement, with the group reporting an operating profit of nearly £4.9 million in the year to 29 December 2024, compared with a loss of £4.6 million the year before. Revenue rose by 30 per cent to £125 million, with growth partly driven by acquisitions and the rollout of Slim Chickens sites.
Martin Owen, group people director at Boparan Restaurant Group, described the transfer as a strategic opportunity: “Selecting who we sold the sites to was a vital part of this process. We needed to ensure that they had the right values and would do the right thing by our amazing colleagues.”
Meanwhile, group head of marketing James Dodd pointed to strong growth in GBK’s delivery business, which has led to trials with a national delivery kitchen operator. This model will now be expanded to 100 additional locations.
The announcement follows the launch of Honest Burgers’ new “Smash + Grab” format in London’s Liverpool Street, which offers lower-priced menu items. Founded in Brighton in 2009 by Tom Barton and Philip Eeles, Honest Burgers has steadily built its reputation on fresh, quality ingredients and a neighbourhood-focused approach.