Australian Mexican quick-service restaurant franchise Zambrero has appointed Charles Stewart, Chris Seymour and Matt King as Development Agents to lead its next phase of growth across Greater London, with plans to open 36 new sites in the capital over the next three years.
The expansion is expected to create around 540 full- and part-time jobs as Zambrero strengthens its presence in one of the UK’s largest and most competitive foodservice markets.
The new Development Agent team will focus initially on high-footfall locations in areas including Victoria, Southbank, Westminster and Paddington, while also expanding Zambrero’s existing presence in the City of London. The development programme will subsequently extend into wider London boroughs.
The team is seeking sites across high streets, retail parks, business districts and leisure destinations, reflecting Zambrero’s flexible restaurant formats and streamlined operating model. Alongside recruiting franchise partners, Stewart, Seymour and King will support site acquisition, restaurant openings, operations, regional marketing, brand standards and business strategy.
The appointment forms part of Zambrero UK’s broader target to reach 100 sites nationwide by 2030 through franchise partnerships. The brand entered the UK in 2021 and currently operates 17 restaurants across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Reading, Essex, Hampshire, Northampton and Glasgow.
Charles Stewart brings 16 years of experience in London network development, having previously served as Director of Operations for a Greater London development office for a leading QSR franchise brand. His responsibilities included recruiting franchise partners, securing locations and supporting franchisees across the region.
Chris Seymour has 26 years of experience as a multi-unit operator and has opened 26 restaurants across London, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. He currently operates 17 stores and has personally sourced around 80% of his locations.
Matt King joined the QSR sector as a franchise partner in 2023 after beginning his career in agriculture. He has since expanded his portfolio to five stores, adding further operational experience to the new development partnership.
Stewart said the combination of Zambrero’s brand proposition, purpose and UK growth opportunity was a key factor behind the partnership. “What attracted us to Zambrero was the strength of the brand, its clear sense of purpose and the significant growth opportunity that exists within the UK market,” he said. “The business already has a strong foundation in place, and we see real potential to build on that success across Greater London.”
He also highlighted Zambrero’s Plate 4 Plate initiative, under which the company provides a meal to someone in need for every burrito or bowl purchased through its restaurants. The initiative has now delivered more than 110 million meals through Zambrero’s distribution partner, Rise Against Hunger.
Chris Seymour added: “From an operational perspective, there are clear synergies between Zambrero and other franchise businesses we have successfully operated throughout our careers. The similarities in the model allow us to bring proven experience, established processes and a deep understanding of what drives sustainable growth. That gives us confidence that we can hit the ground running and create a strong platform for expansion across Greater London.”
Matt King concluded: “Equally important was the quality of the people behind the brand. We were impressed by both the leadership team and the network of Development Agents already in place. There is a collaborative culture, a shared ambition and a clear commitment to growing the brand in the right way. Having that level of support and alignment across the network gives us great confidence as we embark on this next phase of Zambrero’s growth journey.”
Zambrero UK CEO Emily Teh said the trio’s combined franchise and operational experience would support the brand’s London expansion. “Charles, Chris and Matt bring a strong combination of experience, local market knowledge and proven franchise expertise to Zambrero,” Teh said. “Greater London represents a significant growth opportunity for the brand, and their track record in network development, site selection and operations makes them the ideal team to lead our expansion across the region.”
Founded in Australia more than 20 years ago, Zambrero has expanded through franchising to more than 350 restaurants across Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the US. The company describes itself as the largest Mexican restaurant franchise in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
The brand’s menu centres on freshly prepared Mexican food, including burritos, bowls, tacos, nachos and quesadillas, alongside vegetarian, vegan and Halal options.
Zambrero’s Plate 4 Plate programme remains a central part of its brand proposition, linking restaurant sales with food donations in developing communities.
The new Development Agent team will represent Zambrero at the National Franchise Exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC on October 2 and 3, where the brand will be seeking prospective franchise partners for its UK expansion.
