Burger King Israel
The Israeli franchise operation of the international Burger King fast-food chain.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Burger King Israel is the Israeli franchise operation of Burger King, an international fast-food chain specializing in hamburgers, chicken products, fries, beverages, desserts, and related quick-service meals. The brand first entered Israel in 1993 through a local ownership group associated with Yair Hasson, Meshulam Riklis, and Kamor Motors. Its early expansion was followed by ownership changes, management instability, slower branch deployment, and substantial debt. In 2003, Eli and Yuval Orgad acquired the chain's 56 restaurants, and the operation subsequently entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2005 while its locations continued trading. The franchise's first period ended when Orgad Holdings consolidated its Burger King estate with the locally established Burgeranch chain. In 2010, the Israeli Burger King restaurants were converted to the Burgeranch name. At the time of the merger, the combined network comprised more than 100 locations, although the exact number of operating restaurants varied during the transition. This conversion removed Burger King from the Israeli market for several years. Burger King explored a return beginning in 2013. Initial discussions reportedly involved its former Israeli franchisee Yair Hasson, but those talks did not produce an agreement. A proposed transaction in 2014 involving the conversion of dozens of Burgeranch locations back to Burger King also failed. In June 2015, a new investor group, including Pierre Besnainou, obtained the Israeli franchise rights. The re-entry plan called for substantial investment and a large national rollout, but the eventual network was more selective than the initial ambition. The first restaurant of the renewed operation opened in February 2016 opposite Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, followed by a second Tel Aviv location in Ramat HaHayal and additional restaurants at Dizengoff Center and Azrieli Center. The revived chain adopted a mixed kosher and non-kosher model, allowing it to serve different segments of Israel's foodservice market. The Rabin Square restaurant was non-kosher, while the Dizengoff Center and Azrieli Center locations were kosher. Later openings included a kosher restaurant in Hod Hasharon and a non-kosher restaurant in Beersheba. Burger King Israel has also used locally adapted products and promotional concepts. In 2016 it introduced the SufganiKing for Hanukkah, replacing the conventional Whopper bun with two sufganiyot, the jelly doughnuts traditionally associated with the holiday. The limited-time product combined a globally recognizable Burger King item with a distinctly Israeli and Jewish festive food tradition. According to the referenced 2025 account, Burger King Israel had 18 branches nationwide. Most were concentrated in Tel Aviv and its suburbs, while the locations outside the Gush Dan metropolitan area included Mitzpe Ramon and Ramon Airport in Eilat. The brand therefore operates as a localized franchise rather than as a broad independent restaurant group, balancing Burger King's global menu identity with kosher certification, local eating habits, holiday marketing, and the geographic concentration of Israel's commercial population.
History
Burger King Israel's history consists of an initial franchise period from 1993 to 2010, a failed re-entry effort, and a renewed operation launched from 2016 onward. The first Israeli Burger King restaurants opened in 1993 under a local ownership structure involving Yair Hasson, Meshulam Riklis, and Kamor Motors. In 1998, Hasson and Riklis bought out Kamor Motors. Hasson later sold his interest to Riklis in 2001, leaving Riklis as the sole owner. The business experienced repeated management changes, including several chief executives, while its expansion slowed. The combination of changing strategy, weak deployment of new branches, and financial pressure contributed to the deterioration of the franchise. By 2003, the company had accumulated approximately NIS 98 million in debt, according to the referenced account. Eli and Yuval Orgad then bought the chain's 56 restaurants for approximately NIS 30 million. Burger King Israel entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2005 after its acquisition by Orgad Holdings, although the restaurants continued operating. The ownership group also became involved with Burgeranch, a local burger chain. After Burgeranch's owner Yossi Hoshinski died in 2008 and Burgeranch itself entered bankruptcy, Orgad Holdings acquired Burgeranch. In 2010, Orgad Holdings announced that the Burger King locations would be rebranded as Burgeranch. The consolidation combined the two networks and removed the Burger King name from Israel. Burger King began considering a return in 2013. The initiative followed changes in the international company's ownership and a broader effort to expand into countries where the brand was absent. Early discussions included Yair Hasson, the former Israeli franchisee, but those negotiations were unsuccessful. In 2014, reports described a possible transaction in which a new group would acquire 51 of Burgeranch's 72 locations and convert them back to Burger King, with the remaining sites to be closed. That transaction also failed. A new phase began in June 2015, when an investor group including Pierre Besnainou secured the Israeli franchise. The group announced plans for a substantial national rollout. The first new restaurant opened on 1 February 2016 opposite Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. It was followed by a branch in Ramat HaHayal in March and additional restaurants at Dizengoff Center and Azrieli Center in April. The revived network included both kosher and non-kosher restaurants. This format reflected the practical and cultural requirements of the Israeli market: kosher branches could serve observant consumers, while non-kosher restaurants could operate with a broader menu and different opening arrangements. Expansion continued with restaurants including a kosher branch in Hod Hasharon and a non-kosher branch in Beersheba. The chain also pursued local relevance through limited-time products. The 2016 SufganiKing placed a Whopper filling between two sufganiyot during Hanukkah, linking Burger King's signature burger format with a traditional holiday food. As of the referenced 2025 information, Burger King Israel had 18 branches. Sixteen were located in Tel Aviv and its suburbs, while two were outside Gush Dan, at Mitzpe Ramon and Ramon Airport in Eilat. The operation has also faced political controversy. In 1999, the opening of a franchise restaurant in the West Bank settlement of Ma'ale Adumim triggered criticism and boycott pressure from Arab and Muslim organizations, while Jewish organizations in the United States and Israel criticized Burger King's decision to withdraw the license. The international company closed the location, stating that the action was commercial and contractual rather than political. More recently, after the Israel-Hamas war, the Israeli franchise faced boycott calls related to food donations reportedly made to Israeli military personnel.
- 2025
Reported national network
[1]The referenced account reported 18 branches, concentrated in Tel Aviv and its suburbs, with two locations outside Gush Dan.
- 2016
Return to Israel
[1]The first restaurant of the renewed operation opened at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv.
- 2015
New franchise rights awarded
[1]An investor group including Pierre Besnainou obtained the rights to relaunch Burger King in Israel.
- 2010
Conversion to Burgeranch
[1]Burger King locations were converted to the Burgeranch brand.
- 2005
Bankruptcy proceedings
[1]The Israeli franchise was purchased by Orgad Holdings after declaring bankruptcy, while its locations remained open.
- 2003
Orgad acquisition
[1]Eli and Yuval Orgad acquired the 56-restaurant chain amid major debt.
- 2001
Riklis becomes sole owner
[1]Hasson sold his share to Riklis.
- 1998
Kamor Motors exits the ownership group
[1]Yair Hasson and Meshulam Riklis bought Kamor Motors' interest in the Israeli operation.
- 1993
Initial Israeli launch
[1]Burger King opened its first Israeli franchise restaurants.
Products and positioning
An internationally recognizable burger-chain franchise adapted to Israel through kosher and non-kosher locations, local menu customization, and concentrated urban restaurant coverage.
Hamburger
Whopper
Burger King Israel's principal flagship hamburger offering, representing the global chain's core flame-grilled burger proposition. Availability and preparation may differ between kosher and non-kosher restaurants.
Limited-time seasonal hamburger · 2016
SufganiKing
A Hanukkah limited-time product introduced in 2016. It used two sufganiyot, Israeli jelly doughnuts traditionally associated with the festival, in place of the regular Whopper bun.
Restaurant menu
Kosher Burger King menu
Menu offerings sold at the chain's kosher branches. The existence of kosher locations is a significant local adaptation, enabling the franchise to serve observant customers while operating alongside non-kosher restaurants.
Controversies
1999
Ma'ale Adumim franchise controversy
The opening of a Burger King franchise restaurant in the West Bank settlement of Ma'ale Adumim prompted criticism from Arab and Muslim organizations, boycott calls, and warnings concerning Burger King's wider Middle Eastern franchise relationships. Burger King Corporation withdrew the location's license, citing contractual and commercial considerations. The decision was also criticized by Jewish organizations that viewed it as capitulation to boycott pressure.
Boycott calls connected with Israel-Hamas war
Following the Israel-Hamas war, Burger King Israel faced boycott calls after reports that it donated food to Israel Defense Forces personnel. The controversy formed part of broader political and consumer campaigns directed at brands associated with Israel.
Marketing campaigns
- 2016SufganiKing Hanukkah promotion
Israel
Burger King Israel created a festive product by combining the Whopper format with sufganiyot, a Hanukkah-associated Israeli doughnut.
Outcome. The item was offered for a limited period during Hanukkah 2016 and became a notable example of localized menu marketing.
Brand decisions
2016
Launch the SufganiKingProduct launchBackground
Hanukkah food customs provided an opportunity to localize Burger King's signature burger format.
Action taken
Burger King Israel sold a Whopper using two sufganiyot instead of a standard bun during the 2016 Hanukkah period.
Aftermath
The limited-time product received attention as a creative Israeli holiday adaptation.
2015
Award a new Israeli franchiseStrategyBackground
Earlier attempts to restore the brand through negotiations with its former franchisee and a proposed Burgeranch conversion deal had failed.
Action taken
A new investor group, including Pierre Besnainou, obtained the Israeli franchise rights and prepared a new restaurant rollout.
Aftermath
The first revived restaurant opened in Tel Aviv in February 2016.
2010
Rebrand Israeli Burger King restaurants as BurgeranchStrategyBackground
Orgad Holdings controlled both Burger King locations and Burgeranch after acquiring the local chain from bankruptcy.
Action taken
The company converted the Israeli Burger King locations to the Burgeranch brand.
Aftermath
Burger King exited the Israeli market until the later relaunch beginning in 2016.
Recent events
- 2016
Burger King reopens in Tel Aviv[1]
Product launch
The first restaurant of the revived Israeli operation opened opposite Rabin Square in Tel Aviv.
- 2016
Burger King Israel launches the SufganiKing[1]
Campaign · Product launch
For Hanukkah, the chain sold a limited-time Whopper variation using sufganiyot instead of a conventional bun.
- 2015
New franchise group secures Burger King rights in Israel[1]
M&A
A new investor group, including Pierre Besnainou, obtained the Israeli franchise rights.
- 2014
Proposed Burgeranch conversion deal collapses[1]
M&A
Talks to transfer dozens of Burgeranch restaurants into a renewed Burger King network did not result in a completed transaction.
- 2013
Burger King announces an attempted return to Israel[1]
Other
Burger King began exploring a new Israeli franchise after several years of absence.
- 2010
Israeli Burger King locations converted to Burgeranch[1]
Other
Orgad Holdings rebranded the Israeli Burger King locations as part of Burgeranch, ending the chain's initial run in the country.
- 2003
Burger King Israel accumulates debt and changes ownership[1]
M&A · Bankruptcy
The Israeli operation had accumulated substantial debt, and Eli and Yuval Orgad acquired its restaurant network.
- 1993
Burger King enters the Israeli market[1]
Other
Burger King began operating in Israel through a local franchise group.
Sources1 sources
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