Harden's survey result
Summary
“Still my favourite burger”, proclaim loyalists of the brand that launched the contemporary vogue for upmarket burgers – although the original 2001 branch in Battersea’s Nappy Valley is now gone, a victim of cost-cutting in recent years. Birmingham’s ‘chicken king’ Ranjit Boparan bought the chain out of administration in 2020, with the closure of almost half its 60-odd outlets. Judging by the limited but positive feedback this year, he appears to have brought an upward trend to the surviving 35 branches plus eight delivery-only kitchens.
Summary
“Quality burgers at a great price point” make the capital’s original posh burger chain “a family favourite” for many fans – “the kids always want to go back”. Founded 22 years ago in Battersea’s ‘Nappy Valley’ by a bunch of Kiwis, the group expanded rapidly and changed hands three times before hitting the buffers. Its fortunes appear to have stabilised since Birmingham-based ‘chicken king’ Ranjit Boparan bought it out of administration in 2020, although the 60-odd branches have been whittled down to 37 – half of them in London.
Summary
“Many, many times GBK provided me with happiness in the last 12 months” – strong support from regulars and continued high ratings suggest London’s original posh burger chain is a brand worth saving, despite its recent travails. In late 2020 it was bought out of administration by Midlands chicken tycoon Ranjit Boparan in a deal that saw the closure of 26 of its 61 branches. Launched 21 years ago in Clapham’s Northcote Road by a group of Kiwis including chef Peter Gordon, its “simple and basic – but perfect – burgers” were a massive hit, and the chain was valued at £120m by 2016.
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