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Gourmet Burger Kitchen

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Gourmet Burger Kitchen
Company typeWholly owned subsidiary
IndustryRestaurants
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
Number of locations
35
Area served
UK, Greece, Ireland & the Middle East
Key people
Peter Gordon
ProductsNew Zealand cuisine
£2,800,000+
OwnerFamous Brands
Number of employees
650
Websitewww.gbk.co.uk
Previous logo
Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Southside Wandsworth, London

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) is a restaurant chain in the United Kingdom and Ireland specialising in gourmet burgers. There is a subtle Kiwi theme throughout the restaurants, a reference to the heritage of the original owners.[citation needed]

History

The company was started in London by New Zealanders Adam Wills, Greg Driscoll, Brandon Allen and Ugandan Kalimali Moses, in 2001. Chef Peter Gordon, a New Zealand-born, London-based chef, oversaw the menu development and the first restaurant opened in 2001, bringing the concept of 'gourmet burgers' to London. GBK is known for its "large" burgers, fresh produce and casual service style.[citation needed] The initial success of the Battersea restaurant led to further openings across London.

In 2005, the owners sold the business to Clapham House Group PLC [1] who added a total of 53 restaurants across the UK. In 2010 the restaurant chain was sold to Capricorn Ventures, most notable for operating Nando's.[2] GBK expanded to 60 restaurants across the UK, and has plans to continue growing. Franchises operate in Ireland, Dubai, Greece and Oman.

In September 2016, the South African firm Famous Brands bought the company for US$143.3 million.[3] In August 2018, the company reported huge losses due to a decline in sales.[4]

In October 2018, Gourmet Burger Kitchen reported a £47m loss amid tough trading conditions. Later that month, Gourmet Burger Kitchen announced plans to close 17 restaurants.[5]

In October 2020, it was announced that Ranjit Singh Boparan had acquired the company from administration. However as part of the deal, 26 restaurants would remain closed, with the loss of 362 jobs. 35 restaurants will remain open.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Tobin, Lucy (30 September 2014). "Former PizzaExpress chairman puts an AIM listing on The Real Greek menu". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 2 October 2014. Page is famous for rising from being a dishwasher at PizzaExpress to manager, franchisee, chief executive and then chairman, before he set up Clapham House. It bought and then expanded Gourmet Burger Kitchen, The Real Greek and Bombay Bicycle Club before being taken over.
  2. ^ "Nando's buys burger firm for £30m". BBC News. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Famous Brands buys UK burger chain". IOL News. Reuters. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Another Burger Chain Is In Serious Trouble". Eater London. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Gourmet Burger Kitchen plans to close 17 stores to stay afloat". BBC News. 24 October 2018.
  6. ^ https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/14/ranjit-singh-boparan-buys-gourmet-burger-kitchen-rescue
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