The exceptionally popular US burger restaurant chain is looking to enter the UK for the first time, with plans in place to open restaurants in London and other major cities.
Launched in 1941, Carl’s Jr. is known as one of the world’s most popular QSR chains with over 1,000 restaurants in 28 markets across the globe. The brand already has a presence in Europe, with 79 restaurants in countries such as France, Denmark, Spain and, Turkey and Russia. The brand is now targeting Germany and the UK for further expansion.
Tim Lowther, Carl’s Jr. General Manager, Europe and Russia, commented: “We are looking for a master franchisee in the UK to partner with. The model across Europe is that we work on master franchising and we see the UK as a huge opportunity to work with an ambitious partner. We have over 80 years of experience in the US but in Europe we’re a relative newcomer. We will listen to what’s needed in each market and adapt ourselves accordingly.”
Despite the QSR sector already being relatively crowded in the UK market, the brand believes that there is a space in the UK market for their brand with Lowther explaining that Carl’s Jr. sits in the ‘QSR Plus’ sector, with menu prices comparable or slightly above existing brands, namely Burger King and McDonald’s.
