Restaurant Brands International (RBI) has reported a strong performance for Burger King UK, with the brand seeing both net restaurant and comparable sales growth in the three months ending 30 September 2023 (Q3 2023), according to chief executive Josh Kobza.
Speaking on an earnings call last week, Kobza said Burger King’s international business is an important long-term growth engine for RBI and has driven sales through a digital experience.
Completed remodels have driven uplifts and returns ahead of expectations, he added.
The business has kiosks in over 50% of its international restaurants, which have driven higher average spend. It is bringing key learnings from its international markets to its home market,
“Our dynamic service system is expected in over 2,000 restaurants by the end of 2023,” Kobza said. “[It’s driving] solid results with a 3% comparable sales uplift.
“We aim to get this business to 100% digital, that’s our north star. We’ll see what this looks like for drive-thrus.
“Kiosks are so much better of an experience, both for customers and team members, and they’re better for profitability.
“You’ll see this with other players as well. It’s a better way of doing business.”
Burger King’s total net restaurant count, meanwhile, has declined 2% globally as the business closes older and underperforming restaurants to support its “increasingly modern” system.
As RBI expands its other brands – coffee chain Tim Hortons and fried chicken chain Popeyes – in the UK, Kobza said the chicken QSR market is doing well globally.
“Chicken is gaining a lot of share, also internationally,” he said. “It’s a great place to be.
“We have decades of tailwinds of growth and a terrific brand in that segment.
“Our international growth is ramped up and I think we’re still very early in that process. We want to make Popeyes a leading brand in all these geographies around the world.
RBI reported its Q3 results for the three months ending 30 September 2023 last week, with global comparable sales growth of 7%, driven partly by growth of 7.6% for Burger King International.
Kobza commented: “I am proud of the strength we’re seeing across our brands due to the efforts of our franchisees and our teams which helped drive another quarter of double-digit system-wide sales growth and home market franchisee profitability growth. These results reflect our focus on enhancing operations, delivering great guest and team member experiences, and providing great value with the best quality products in each of our brands’ respective categories. I am confident we are well positioned to enter 2024 with momentum.”
