Fat Hippo Group to open first London venue

Independent burger group Fat Hippo will open its debut London restaurant on Great Eastern Street in Shoreditch on Friday 14 October. The launch will bring the group's nationwide portfolio to a total of 15 venues. 

The new, 3,000sq ft, 108-cover restaurant is inspired by East London's vibrant culture, adorned with urban-style décor, exposed brickwork and bespoke steelwork. 

Open seven days a week for dine-in and takeaway, the menu will include the brand's double beef and buttermilk chicken burgers, as well as wide range of plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-dree and halal chicken options, on top of a kids' menu. 

Signatures include the PB+JJ burger – a double patty topped with peanut butter and bacon jam; the Great White Buffalo burger, with buttermilk chicken, American cheese, smoked bacon, buffalo hot sauce and purple slaw; and the namesake Fat Hippo burger – a double patty with American cheese, smoked bacon, chorizo, onion rings and Fat Hippo sauce. 

All burgers will be served in a toasted demi brioche, alongside Hippo seasoned hand-cut chips, free as standard. Sides include dirty fries, frickles (fried pickles) and custom wings. 

Shoreditch menu prices will remain the same as the rest of the UK, with burgers starting from £11.90. There will also be regular weekday offers such as the Fast Hippo burgers and fries lunch for £8, and the Hippo Hour – two courses for £16, and three courses for £18.50 from 5–6pm. 

The first Fat Hippo opened in 2010 in Jesmond and has since expanded with additional restaurants now in Newcastle, Durham, Nottingham, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham and Glasgow.

The north-east born restaurant group also has three concessions, including kiosks within Sheffield’s all day retail experience Kommune and Lane 7’s Sheffield, Manchester and Edinburgh first-class bowling venues.

Michael Phillips, managing director for the group, comments: "We are on an ambitious growth path and are delighted to be bringing our patties to London for the first time. We’re being very selective in terms of the cities we’re considering for our new restaurants and are only looking at vibrant, dynamic locations that fit with our brand aspirations. The lively and creative district of Shoreditch is the perfect fit."

In line with the company’s expansion plans, Fat Hippo will be opening a second restaurant in London early next year as well as in York, expected to create around 70 new jobs. The brand plans to open a further six locations over the next 12 months, which will create an additional 160 jobs, making the number of employees across the group over 600.

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