Burger King UK said it acquired Karali Group, purchasing all 74 restaurants from its second-largest franchise operator via the acquisition.
Karali Group is a long-time franchisee of Burger King, with staff at its restaurants transferring to the core team restaurant.
According to the Evening Standard, the deal was brokered with funds through the business’ existing lenders, NatWest and Rabobank London, as well as a new lender, AIG.
Burger King’s acquisition is part of plans to ramp up competition on McDonald's and KFC as it looks to open up one restaurant a week up until the end of 2022.
Sites directly owned by Burger King will now stand at 266, with the 74 restaurants coming under the group’s remodelling and upgrade programme.
“The acquisition of Karali – the largest consolidation Burger King UK has made – marks an important milestone for the business, bringing more restaurants under our ownership, enhancing value and driving operational efficiencies,” said Alasdair Murdoch, boss of Burger King UK in the Standard.