Burger King’s master franchisee in France has acquired Europe’s Quick quick-service burger chain with the intention of converting the 509 stores into Burger Kings.
The purchase price was not revealed.
The deal will make BK the second-largest quick-service chain in France, said the buyer, Groupe Bertrand, the majority owner of BK-France. Only McDonald’s would have a larger presence.
Currently, only 26 fast-food restaurants in France fly the BK flag.
Restaurant Brands International, franchisor of the BK brand worldwide, is a minority shareholder in Groupe Bertrand. RBI is also the parent company of Tim Hortons.
France has been a heated battleground for American quick-service chains. Many of the innovations being tested in the U .S. as remedies for the ailing McDonald’s brand were tried first in France, which has become a key market for the Golden Arches.
RBI said Burger King outlets in France average about $5.5 million in sales, making that market one of the chain’s strongest.
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