Burger King Europe has entered into an agreement with BKNL for a new business that will be run by Dutch hospitality company Meyer Beheer, to turbo-charge the burger chain’s footprint in the Netherlands, the EU’s sixth-largest economy.
Burger King already boasts 60 shops in the Netherlands and the agreement will see more open, although the business could not be reached to disclose how many there might be.
As well as expansion in the Netherlands, Burger King admitted the move would also “strengthen its presence” in continental Europe.
Growing demand for the Big Whopper
“We are excited about this agreement, which will help us grow the Burger King brand in this important European market,” said José Cil, president of Burger King Brand.
“We look forward to working with the BKNL BV team, who have significant restaurant and hospitality expertise, to increase the scale of our Burger King business in the Netherlands.”
Laurens Meijer, chairman of BKNL BV, added: “To be able to grow and elevate an iconic, global brand like Burger King in the Netherlands is an incredible opportunity. We are confident that the great taste of our amazing flame-grilled burgers will resonate well with our guests.”
Like its rivals McDonald’s and Subway, most of Burger King’s restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchises. Many of the Burger King ones are family-owned operations that have been in business in their respective countries for many decades.
Burger King is also the second-largest fast food hamburger chain in the world, behind McDonald’s, and has more than 16,000 stores. It is owned by Restaurant Brands International, which also owns fried chicken and shrimp chain Popeyes, as well as the Tim Hortons restaurant line.