Another US chain is hoping for a bite of the UK burger market
The group is following the likes of Five Guys, Shake Shack and Fatburger across the pond with plans to open up to 30 sites by 2023.
Habit Restaurants has signed a franchise deal with Pegasus Foods to launch its first two restaurants in the London suburbs in 2018, followed by a roll-out across the UK.
Pegasus Foods says it is aiming to have 30 restaurants in operation within the first five years of trading.
Habit was founded in Santa Barbara in 1969 and has nearly 200 locations in 11 US states and one in the United Arab Emirates.
The brand is known for its ‘Charbugers’ chargrilled over an open flame, with vegetarian filings including grilled pineapple with teriyaki sauce.
American invasion
US burger brands appear to be thriving in the UK at a time when home-grown groups such as Byron, Gourmet Burger Company and Meatcure are rolling back expansion amid slowing sales.
Fatburger is planning to launch 15 further sites while Shake Shack just launched its eighth UK site in Cambrige Circus.
Burger giant Wendy’s has also hinted at making a return to the UK after hosting a one-day pop-up in London in July. The group has made attempts to break in the UK market before but surrendered 10 leases back in 2000 blaming high property and operating costs.
