Gourmet Burger Kitchen
A British casual-dining chain specialising in gourmet burgers.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Gourmet Burger Kitchen, commonly abbreviated to GBK, is a British casual-dining restaurant chain specialising in substantial, made-to-order burgers. The brand was established in London in 2001 by New Zealanders Adam Wills, Greg Driscoll, and Brandon Allen. New Zealand-born chef Peter Gordon oversaw menu development, helping shape the concept around premium burgers, fresh produce, generous portions, and an informal service style. The restaurants also developed a light New Zealand or Kiwi visual and cultural theme, reflecting the heritage of the original founders and the involvement of Gordon. GBK emerged during a period when London’s restaurant market was becoming more receptive to upgraded versions of familiar fast-food formats. Rather than presenting the hamburger as a standardized takeaway product, the first restaurant, in Battersea, positioned it as a sit-down meal with a broader choice of meats, toppings, sauces, sides, and shakes. Early success at the Battersea site supported expansion across London and subsequently into other parts of the United Kingdom. In 2005, the founders sold the business to Clapham House Group plc. Under that ownership the chain expanded substantially, eventually adding 53 restaurants in the United Kingdom. In 2010, GBK was sold to Capricorn Ventures, a group associated with the Nando’s restaurant business. The chain continued to grow and reached approximately 60 United Kingdom restaurants, while franchise arrangements supported operations in international markets including Ireland, Dubai, Greece, and Oman. Famous Brands, a South African restaurant group, acquired GBK in September 2016 for a reported US$143.3 million. The brand subsequently faced difficult trading conditions, declining sales, and increased pressure across the United Kingdom casual-dining sector. In 2018 it reported substantial losses, including a reported £47 million loss, and announced plans to close 17 restaurants. These difficulties reflected both company-specific performance problems and wider challenges affecting high-street restaurants, including changing consumer habits, cost pressures, and intense competition. GBK entered administration in 2020. In October of that year, the business was acquired by Ranjit Singh Boparan through the Boparan Restaurant Group. The transaction preserved 35 restaurants but resulted in the closure of 26 sites and the loss of 362 jobs. Under its new ownership, GBK remained a United Kingdom-focused restaurant brand, with an estate smaller than its pre-administration footprint. Its core proposition continues to centre on dine-in and takeaway burgers, fries, desserts, and milkshakes, combining casual restaurant presentation with a premium or gourmet positioning.
History
Gourmet Burger Kitchen was founded in London in 2001 by New Zealanders Adam Wills, Greg Driscoll, and Brandon Allen. Chef Peter Gordon, a New Zealand-born chef based in London, was responsible for menu development and helped establish the culinary direction of the first restaurant. The Battersea opening introduced a restaurant format built around large, freshly prepared burgers rather than standardized fast food. The brand’s New Zealand connection was reflected in its restaurant atmosphere and broader identity. The first site performed well enough to support further openings across London. GBK’s proposition combined premium ingredients and a wide range of burger combinations with relaxed service and a casual restaurant setting. Its menu and presentation helped popularize the idea of a gourmet burger as a mainstream restaurant meal in the United Kingdom. Burgers were typically accompanied by sides such as fries, while milkshakes and other casual-dining items broadened the offer. In 2005, the original owners sold GBK to Clapham House Group plc. The new owner expanded the chain beyond its initial London base and added 53 restaurants across the United Kingdom. In 2010, Capricorn Ventures acquired the business. Capricorn was associated with the Nando’s restaurant group, and under its ownership GBK reached approximately 60 United Kingdom restaurants. The brand also used franchise structures to establish locations in markets such as Ireland, Dubai, Greece, and Oman. Famous Brands, a South African foodservice company, acquired GBK in September 2016. The reported purchase price was US$143.3 million. The acquisition was followed by a period of deteriorating performance. In 2018, the company reported substantial losses, with a £47 million loss cited in coverage of its financial position. GBK also reported declining sales and announced that it intended to close 17 restaurants. The closures formed part of a wider attempt to address difficult trading conditions and reduce the burden of an oversized or underperforming estate. The business later entered administration in 2020. In October 2020, Ranjit Singh Boparan acquired the chain through the Boparan Restaurant Group. The rescue transaction did not preserve the full estate: 26 restaurants were closed and 362 jobs were lost, while 35 restaurants remained open. The acquisition marked a change from GBK’s earlier expansion-led phase to a more compact, turnaround-oriented operating model. GBK’s historical significance lies in its role in the development of the United Kingdom gourmet-burger category. It moved between independent origins, listed-company ownership, international restaurant-group ownership, and private ownership under Boparan. Across those changes, the brand retained a consistent central proposition: made-to-order burgers, fresh produce, substantial portions, casual service, and a recognizable but understated New Zealand influence.
- 2020
Acquisition out of administration
[1]Ranjit Singh Boparan acquires the business, retaining 35 restaurants while 26 close and 362 jobs are lost.
- 2018
Restaurant closures announced
[1]GBK announces plans to close 17 restaurants after reporting substantial losses and declining sales.
- 2016
Famous Brands acquisition
[1]South African restaurant group Famous Brands acquires Gourmet Burger Kitchen for a reported US$143.3 million.
- 2010
Acquisition by Capricorn Ventures
[1]Capricorn Ventures buys GBK and continues its domestic growth and franchise activity.
- 2005
Sale to Clapham House Group
[1]The founders sell the chain to Clapham House Group plc, which expands GBK across the United Kingdom.
- 2001
First Gourmet Burger Kitchen restaurant opens
[1]Adam Wills, Greg Driscoll, and Brandon Allen establish GBK in London, with the first restaurant opening in Battersea and Peter Gordon overseeing menu development.
Products and positioning
Premium casual dining focused on generously portioned burgers, fresh ingredients, informal service, and a subtle New Zealand-inspired identity.
Main dishes · 2001
Gourmet burgers
GBK’s core product is the made-to-order burger, presented as a premium casual-dining alternative to standardized fast food. The range has historically emphasized large portions, fresh produce, multiple toppings, sauces, and different meat and non-meat formats. Burgers are generally served as a sit-down meal but are also suitable for takeaway.
Main dishes
Chicken and alternative-protein burgers
Alongside beef burgers, the brand’s broader menu has included chicken and vegetarian or plant-based alternatives. These options extend the central burger format to customers seeking poultry, meat-free, or lower-meat choices while retaining the same casual restaurant presentation.
Side dishes · 2001
Fries and sides
Fries and other side dishes accompany GBK’s burgers and help complete the restaurant meal. Sides support both dine-in and takeaway occasions and are part of the brand’s broader positioning as a full casual-dining experience rather than a burger-only counter-service concept.
Beverages and desserts · 2001
Milkshakes and desserts
Milkshakes, soft drinks, and desserts complement the burger menu. Milkshakes in particular are associated with the indulgent, informal character of the GBK proposition and broaden the brand’s appeal for family, group, and casual social visits.
Brand decisions
2020
Acquisition from administrationM&ABackground
GBK entered administration after a period of financial pressure and estate reductions.
Action taken
Ranjit Singh Boparan acquired the business through Boparan Restaurant Group.
Aftermath
Thirty-five restaurants remained open, while 26 closed and 362 jobs were lost.
2018
Estate reduction and restaurant closuresStrategyBackground
The chain faced declining sales, reported substantial losses, and difficult trading conditions.
Action taken
GBK announced plans to close 17 restaurants.
Aftermath
The closures represented an attempt to reduce the estate and respond to worsening financial performance.
Reported loss. £47 million (2018 reporting period)
2016
Famous Brands acquisitionM&ABackground
GBK was sold as part of the international expansion of South African restaurant group Famous Brands.
Action taken
Famous Brands acquired Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
Aftermath
Famous Brands became the owner during a later period of declining sales and difficult United Kingdom trading conditions.
Reported acquisition price. US$143.3 million (September 2016 acquisition)
2010
Transfer to Capricorn VenturesM&ABackground
GBK had developed into a substantial United Kingdom restaurant chain and changed ownership again.
Action taken
Capricorn Ventures acquired the business and continued its expansion.
Aftermath
The chain reached approximately 60 United Kingdom restaurants and operated franchises in several overseas markets.
2005
Sell the business to Clapham House GroupM&ABackground
After the initial Battersea restaurant and subsequent London openings established the concept, the founders transferred ownership to a larger restaurant operator.
Action taken
Clapham House Group plc acquired GBK and expanded the chain across the United Kingdom.
Aftermath
The brand added 53 United Kingdom restaurants under the new ownership.
Recent events
- 2020
Boparan Restaurant Group acquires GBK from administration[1]
M&A · Bankruptcy
Ranjit Singh Boparan acquired GBK after it entered administration. The deal retained 35 restaurants, while 26 sites closed and 362 jobs were lost.
- 2018
Gourmet Burger Kitchen reports major losses[1]
Other
The chain reported severe losses amid declining sales and difficult trading conditions in the United Kingdom casual-dining market.
- 2018
GBK announces closure of 17 restaurants[1]
Other
The company announced plans to close 17 restaurants as part of a response to continuing financial and trading pressures.
- 2016
Famous Brands acquires Gourmet Burger Kitchen[1]
M&A
South African restaurant group Famous Brands bought GBK in a transaction reported at US$143.3 million.
- 2010
Gourmet Burger Kitchen sold to Capricorn Ventures[1]
M&A
Capricorn Ventures acquired GBK and continued its United Kingdom expansion, with the chain reaching approximately 60 restaurants.
- 2005
Clapham House Group acquires Gourmet Burger Kitchen[1]
M&A
The London burger chain was sold to Clapham House Group plc, which subsequently expanded the brand across the United Kingdom.
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