Australian-born Mexican QSR chain Zambrero has appointed a trio of experienced development agents to fast-track its UK expansion, signalling a sharper push into regional franchise growth.
The brand has named James Fleck, Michelle Jelfs and Sarah Preston as Development Agents for the West Midlands and South West, tasking them with leading franchise partner recruitment and site development across both territories.
The appointments form part of Zambrero’s wider ambition to scale rapidly in the UK, with plans to open more than 20 new restaurants over the next three years and create around 300 jobs across full- and part-time roles.
The newly appointed team brings more than 50 years of combined franchising experience and has previously worked together to build and scale large quick-service restaurant networks, including recruiting over 100 franchise partners and opening more than 120 outlets. Their remit will extend beyond franchise sales to include site acquisition, operational support, regional marketing and ensuring brand consistency as Zambrero expands into high-footfall locations such as high streets, shopping centres and roadside destinations.
Target cities include Birmingham, Coventry, and Worcester in the West Midlands, alongside Bristol, Bath and Exeter in the South West, markets identified as key growth clusters for the brand’s next phase.
Emily Teh, CEO of Zambrero, said: “We’re delighted to welcome James, Michelle and Sarah. Their appointment represents a significant step forward in our UK expansion strategy.”
James Fleck added: “We’re incredibly excited to join the Zam Fam at such a pivotal stage, there’s just something about Zambrero.”
Founded in 2005, Zambrero operates more than 300 restaurants globally and entered the UK market in 2021. The company is targeting 100 UK locations by 2030, with a franchise-led model at the core of its growth strategy.
The expansion is also underpinned by the brand’s “Plate 4 Plate” initiative, which donates a meal for every burrito or bowl sold, an approach the company says continues to resonate strongly with both customers and prospective franchise partners.
With experienced regional operators now in place, Zambrero is positioning itself to scale faster across the UK’s underserved Mexican fast-casual segment.
