Rocket Restaurants, which owns the Ireland-based US-style diner and burger bar concept Eddie Rocket’s, is to expand into Continental Europe after agreeing a franchise deal with the Elior Group to launch in Germany.
The company, which comprises 51 restaurants – 27 owned and operated by franchisees and 24 company-owned venues – across the Republic and Northern Ireland, has signed a licensing agreement with Areas, a German subsidiary of the contract.
As part of the exclusive agreement Areas and Rocket have begun identifying suitable flagship locations at transport hubs as well as premises at shopping centres across Germany in which to launch the brand.
Niall Fortune, managing director of Rocket Restaurants, said: “We are thrilled to have secured a reliable partner to launch the very successful Rocket’s concept into the German market. We are convinced Areas is the ideal partner to establish Rocket’s on a long-term and sustainable basis in Germany. Areas is experienced in building brand awareness and market share in a highly competitive but lucrative European market.”
Elior Deutschland chief executive André Laroche said: “Rocket’s is an urban, premium-burger brand and suitable for locations at shopping centres, train stations and airports. We are certain the Rocket’s brand will take the highly-competitive German market by storm.”
