Burgermeister

About Burgermeister

Burgermeister is a German better-burger brand founded in 2006 by Cebrail Karabelli. Its first restaurant opened in a former public toilet beneath elevated railway tracks in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district. The concept combines burgers with an urban identity and has expanded to a reported 27 locations across Germany and Poland, with seven additional sites listed as coming soon.

In November 2025, Burgermeister announced plans to enter the UK in 2026, initially through four company-owned London restaurants to assess operations, customer response and supply chain performance. It subsequently aims to expand across London and into cities including Manchester and Birmingham through experienced multi-unit franchise and master-franchise partners. Initial UK supply is planned from its Berlin production facility, with local fresh produce sourcing and potential UK satellite production once the network reaches around eight to ten restaurants. These are plans rather than confirmed openings.

Why franchise with Burgermeister

• ✓Established in Berlin in 2006, with a distinctive urban identity and a reported 27 locations.
• ✓UK growth plans include London and regional cities, with opportunities for experienced operators.
• ✓Express, standard and flagship investment formats offer different routes into the brand.
• ✓Initial UK supply is planned through a central Berlin facility to support product consistency.
• ✓The brand seeks hands-on partners who can contribute local knowledge, networks and leadership.
• ✓Potential UK satellite production is planned as the network grows to eight to ten locations.

Investment breakdown

Minimum investment	€650,000
Maximum investment	€1,500,000
Franchise fee	€45,000
Management service fee	6%
Marketing contribution	1.5%
Agreement term	On request

What's expected of a franchisee

Property requirements

Burgermeister plans to establish its first four UK restaurants in London before considering further sites across the capital and regional cities including Manchester and Birmingham. It offers express, standard and flagship investment formats, but the supplied information does not specify minimum floor areas, frontage, parking or access requirements. The initial London cluster is intended to test operational suitability, customer demand and supply chain performance before wider expansion.

Training and support

Burgermeister says franchise partners benefit from its concept, operating experience and brand support as they build their businesses. For its planned UK launch, core products including patties, sauces and buns are expected to arrive in weekly chilled deliveries from its Berlin production facility, with fresh produce sourced locally. Satellite production in the London or Midlands area is envisaged once the UK network reaches around eight to ten locations. Training details are not disclosed.

Operational requirements

Burgermeister expects franchise partners to protect its product quality, brand identity and operating standards while applying their local market knowledge. Its planned UK supply model initially involves weekly chilled shipments of patties, sauces and buns from Berlin, alongside locally sourced fresh produce. The first four proposed London company stores are intended to test operations and supply chain performance before wider franchising. Staffing and reporting requirements are not specified.

Experience required

Burgermeister is seeking committed entrepreneurs with local knowledge, strong networks and an active interest in running and growing restaurants, rather than passive investors. For its planned UK expansion, it is particularly interested in experienced multi-unit franchise and master-franchise partners. The supplied financial criteria specify €350,000 in required equity. No mandatory number of years in hospitality, restaurant ownership or management is stated.

Territory availability

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