Honest Burgers announces plans to enter QSR market

Honest Burgers has announced plans to expand into the quick service restaurant (QSR) market.

The business, founded by long-term friends Tom Barton and Philip Eeles, started in a marquee in a field back in 2011 and has since grown into a multi-million-pound brand with over 40 branches across the UK, serving 80,000 burgers and 30 tonnes of homemade chips every week. 

Now the group has set its sights on the QSR segment. Having seen 23% growth already, Honest is on track to reach a sales record of £55m this year. 

These plans have been driven by the success of the brand's smashed burger, which launched in 2022 and is convenient for on-the-go as it takes less than two minutes to cook. 

As the UK’s appetite for eating quality British burgers continues to grow, the business is now inviting its loyal customer base to take up an equity share as part of a crowdfunding campaign to help propel its expansion.

Backed by existing investors Active Partners with a further £1m investment, the campaign, funded via Crowdcube, will raise capital to help Honest launch the new premium QSR brand, with the first site slated to open in London early next year. 

Frank Hayes, CEO of Honest Burgers, comments: "The hospitality industry has been hit hard over the last few years with some even saying that the premium burger bubble had burst, but today's announcement proves Honest Burgers is here to stay. Thanks to our loyal customer base, we have continued to grow while never compromising on serving the best quality burgers and chips we can, to make our customers feel at home and to offer great value with no gimmicks. 

"It's exciting to take the brand to the next level with an ambitious plan to open more Honest restaurants, building our presence in regional cities as well as London. But we also believe that our new restaurant format can challenge the big guys in the premium quick service burger market. We never dreamt Honest would get to where it is today, but we have big ambitions for our future and we hope our customers will join us for the ride."

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