Zambrero has marked the first anniversary of its UK franchise recruitment programme by signing 14 franchise partners, appointing three regional development agents and expanding its UK estate to 16 restaurants, strengthening its long-term ambition to build a network of 100 UK locations by 2030.
The milestone reflects strong early momentum for the Australian-born Mexican quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand, which launched franchise recruitment in 2025. Several of the newly signed agreements are multi-unit deals, providing a solid pipeline for future expansion.
The company plans to sign another 20 franchise partners by the end of 2026, bringing total commitments to 35, while opening upto 10 additional restaurants across the UK.
Building a UK Franchise Network
To support regional growth, Zambrero has appointed three development agent teams covering 14 counties across the UK.
Damian Bennett and Dawn Catherall became the brand’s first UK Development Agents in September 2025, overseeing Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire. Existing franchise partner Sumin Lohani later took responsibility for Hampshire, Berkshire and the Isle of Wight, while James Fleck, Michelle Jelfs and Sarah Preston now lead franchise development across the West Midlands and South West.
The company also became an Emerging Member of the British Franchise Association (BFA) in October 2025, reinforcing its commitment to franchise best practice and franchisee support.
Emily Teh, CEO of Zambrero UK, said the quality of franchise recruits had been one of the strongest indicators of the programme’s success. “We’re attracting entrepreneurs with a genuine passion for hospitality, community engagement and business growth, and that’s exactly what we’re looking for as we expand. With the expertise of our Development Agents, we’re creating a support structure that gives Franchise Partners the tools, guidance and confidence to succeed from day one.”
Restaurant Growth Continues
Alongside franchise recruitment, Zambrero has expanded its restaurant footprint, opening three new UK locations during the past six months.
The latest openings include the brand’s first Scottish restaurant in Glasgow’s West End, operated by franchise partner Dan Hawley; a third City of London location at St Paul’s; and the company’s first Hampshire restaurant at Festival Place in Basingstoke, opened by franchise partner Sumin Lohani.
The expansion takes Zambrero’s UK network to 16 restaurants across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Reading, Basingstoke, Essex and Glasgow.
Purpose-Led Growth
Beyond commercial expansion, Zambrero recently surpassed 100 million meals donated globally through its Plate 4 Plate initiative.
Established by founder Dr Sam Prince, the programme donates one meal through global charity partner Rise Against Hunger for every burrito or bowl sold, positioning social impact at the centre of the company’s business model.
Members of the UK leadership team recently participated in a Rise Against Hunger Vision Trip to witness the programme’s impact in local communities.
Teh said the initiative continues to differentiate the franchise opportunity. “Plate 4 Plate continues to resonate strongly with prospective Franchise Partners because it demonstrates that commercial success and social impact can go hand in hand. It’s a genuine point of difference for Zambrero and remains one of the reasons people choose to join our network.”
Technology and Menu Innovation Drive Performance
Zambrero has continued investing in digital infrastructure to support franchisees.
Its Zam Club loyalty programme, launched in March 2026, has already attracted more than 12,000 members, while a new integrated Vita Mojo ePOS platform has been rolled out across the estate to improve operational efficiency and customer retention.
Additional digital capabilities, including click-and-collect, catering and mobile app ordering, are scheduled for launch in the coming months.
On the menu front, limited-time products including the returning Power Burrito, the new Power Bowl, and the Triple H collaboration with tattoo artist Miles Langford have contributed to strong trading performance.
The company reported 28% like-for-like sales growth over the past 12 months, following 36% like-for-like growth during the preceding six-month period.
Next Phase of Expansion
Zambrero is currently onboarding franchise partners for restaurants in Brackmills, Rochdale, Golders Green, the Isle of Man and a second Glasgow location.
The company also intends to expand its development agent network, with discussions underway for four of the remaining nine territories.
Looking ahead, Teh said the business is focused on scaling both its franchise network and operational capabilities. “We’re entering our second year of franchising with a clear roadmap for growth and a strong pipeline of opportunities. From new restaurant openings and franchise recruitment to digital innovation and operational enhancements, we’re investing in every area of the business to ensure Zambrero remains an attractive proposition for both customers and Franchise Partners as we continue our nationwide expansion.”
Founded in Canberra, Australia, in 2005 by Dr Sam Prince, Zambrero now operates more than 350 restaurants across Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom, and is the largest Mexican restaurant franchise in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.
