The group, which signed a master license agreement for Carl’s Jr. in the UK last year, is set to launch its first restaurant under the brand within St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff, Wales, in April and is in the process of building a pipeline of further openings.
Speaking to Restaurant, David Moffat, country manager for Carl’s Jr. UK, revealed that the group expects to open a second location before the summer in the south of England.
“We’re looking at a sturdy rollout with a target of 100 restaurants plus in four years,” he said.
Founded in 1941, Carl’s Jr. is one of the most popular QSR chains in the world, operating more than 3,600 franchised or company-operated restaurants across its US and international footprint.
The brand’s plans to enter the UK market were first revealed by Restaurant back in 2021.
BRG has already demonstrated its ability to successfully grow a US brand in the UK. It brought US-founded fast casual brand Slim Chickens to the UK in 2018, which it has expanded at a steady pace.
Earlier this month it was reported that Slim Chickens was planning a double London opening in early March, bringing its UK estate to 66 sites.
Referencing the growth of Slim Chickens, Moffat said BRG plans to open both corporate franchised stores as it expands the Carl’s Jr. brand.
“We’ll open a number of corporate stores that we’ll retain as we go along and we’ll also going into the sub franchise market, which we hope to begin actioning towards the end of the year,” he said.
“We’ve had a lot of interest from big group franchisees already.”
Carl’s Jr.’s UK launch menu will feature the brand’s ‘signature’ angus burgers, hand-breaded chicken tenders, and ice-cream shakes.
Explaining the menu design, Moffat said: “The UK will probably have the smallest [Carl’s Jr.] menu outside the US, which will be focused on the core products: burgers, chicken and fries.
“You’ve got to look at it culturally and in a way that ensures the brand has a broad, diverse appeal.”
This includes removing bacon from its chicken burgers to make sure there are halal options on the menu.
A full interview with Moffat will feature on Restaurant’s Weekender newsletter this weekend. To subscribe, click here.