Honest Burger CEO to become group chair - updated

The move will see Kelly steer the board through the next phase of the group’s growth, whilst relinquishing his executive operational leadership role to allow him to focus on other opportunities.

Matt Brandon, current CFO of Honest Burgers, will step up as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is found.

Kelly, a former McDonald’s and Costa Coffee executive, joined Honest Burgers as CEO in January following the departure of Frank Hayes.

The group, which operates 39 restaurants across England and Wales, has reported 22 months of consecutive like-for-like sales growth, delivered through ‘strong growth’ in like-for-like covers.

In the first six months of this year sales were up 14%, delivering over 50% improvement in EBITDA performance.

Additionally, like-for-like delivery sales are up 22%, with the group recently extending its exclusive partnership with Uber Eats until 2026.

Further expansion by the group is planned, with Honest Burgers raising £2.8m last year to support the launch of a spin-off QSR concept called Honest Smashed​​.

Honest Burgers was co-founded by friends Tom Barton and Philip Eeles in Brighton in 2009 and opened its first permanent restaurant in London’s Brixton in 2011.

Update (20 Aug): ​Following the publication of this story it was confirmed that Kelly will also be joining Nordic coffee shop brand Espresso House in September as CEO.