UK growth on the menu for Newcastle-based Fat Hippo

A Newcastle-based independent burger restaurant chain is investing in further venues across the country to support its expansion plans over the next 12 months.

Established in 2010, Fat Hippo, which has opened eight restaurants in the last three years serving its burger-focused menu, has announced that it is in the process of acquiring new city centre sites in Edinburgh, Reading, Bath and Chester in deals brokered by retail property specialist @retail.

The move will support the food retailer’s ambitions to grow its operations this year as it sees burgeoning demand from consumers for its range of beef and chicken burgers, fries and vegan options.

Investment in these sites, will provide an additional 18,000 sq ft of retail floorspace, and will extend the chain’s property portfolio to 23 units by the end of 2023, creating dozens of new full and part-time jobs.

Further new venues in Belfast, Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Oxford, Leeds and Sheffield are also set to be secured by @retail, as Fat Hippo looks to cement its national presence.

The chain was started by Mike Philips 13 years ago while he was a student at Northumbria University and currently employs 350 people across the group. He said that despite the recent challenges, notably Covid, @retail has been a key player in securing some of the best restaurant locations.

He added: “We are expanding rapidly and investing in our new sites across the country as a springboard for further growth and brand success. We are delighted by the support provided by @retail, whose strategic property insight and expertise has seen us secure the right property in the right location, on the right terms.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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