Gourmet Burger Kitchen ramps up its expansion plans
GBK was founded by three New Zealanders in 2001 with the opening of a restaurant in Battersea and since then has grown significantly with 53 sites now under the brand.
Significant development
However, with the recent success of MeatLiquor, Byron and emerging concepts such as Patty and Bun and Tommi's Burger Joint, the popularity of the high-quality burger restaurant has led GBK to ramp up its plans for growth.
It will now open five new sites before February next year beginning with a restaurant at the north London Brent Cross shopping centre next month.
The expansion plans will not end there - a further step up is expected in the next financial year with a target of 7-10 openings plus 10+ in the years following.
GBK's five new sites will be located across the UK:
- Brent Cross shopping centre, north London - 5 November
- Southgate shopping centre, Bath - early December
- Metrocentre, Gateshead - early December
- N1 Centre, Islington - early February
- Brindley Place, Birmingham - early February
"GBK has always aligned itself with delivering premium quality burgers in a laid back environment, Alasdair Murdoch, chief executive of Gourmet Burger Kitchen, said.
All five openings will feature a new design featuring an open kitchen and 'artisan fittings' which has already been rolled out to a number of its existing sites including at Westfield Stratford, London's Northcote Road and Brighton.
"We started in 2001 and the burger category has developed significantly since then. We want to provide a great experience for our customers and the look and feel of our restaurants is a key aspect of that," Murdoch added.
Shopping centres
All five announced openings are located within shopping centre developments, a move which fits the trend for the developments to be the locations of choice for expanding and emerging concepts.
"I am delighted that we have managed to position GBK at the forefront of some exciting new retail developments where quality restaurant options are becoming an integral part of the customer experience," Stephen Evans, property and development director for GBK, said.
"Branching out into new regions such as Bath and Newcastle is also a bold and exciting next step for GBK and opens us up to a whole new market," he added.
GBK, which is now owned by Nando's after the Portuguese chicken restaurant chain acquired its owner Clapham House in 2010, counts New Zealand chef Peter Gordon as a consultant in its menu development.
For information on how you can be part of Gourmet Burger Kitchen's expansion plans and to find out what roles it is currently looking to fill, visit the recruiter page for GBK on BigHospitality Jobs.
