It has been one year since Zambrero launched its UK franchise recruitment programme and the business has already signed 14 Franchise Partners, appointed three Development Agents and expanded its estate to 16 restaurants. The achievements mark significant progress towards the brand’s initial plans to open 100 restaurants nationwide by 2030.
Building a national franchise network
The franchise programme has attracted strong interest from entrepreneurs across the UK, with 14 new Franchise Partners signing agreements since the launch, with several being multi-site deals that will further boost momentum. This early success demonstrates the clear appeal of the Zambrero franchise proposition, which combines a simple operational model with a purpose-led mission through Plate 4 Plate – its humanitarian initiative.
To support the continued growth of its franchise network and to set the foundations for Franchise Partner success, Zambrero has also appointed three experienced Development Agents to drive regional expansion across 14 counties throughout the UK.
Damian Bennett and Dawn Catherall became Zambrero’s first UK Development Agents in September 2025, taking responsibility for expansion across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire. They were followed by existing Zambrero Franchise Partner Sumin Lohani, who, upon being appointed as a Development Agent, is now leading franchise growth across Hampshire, Berkshire and the Isle of Wight. Most recently, James Fleck, Michelle Jelfs and Sarah Preston have been appointed and are responsible for driving growth throughout the West Midlands and South West.
The business has also reinforced its commitment to franchising best practice by becoming an Emerging Member of the British Franchise Association (BFA) in October 2025, underlining its dedication to supporting Franchise Partners and building a robust, sustainable franchise network.
Emily Teh, CEO of Zambrero UK, said: “One of the most encouraging aspects of our first year of franchising in the UK has been the people joining the Zambrero network. 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.”
New openings across the UK
The growth of the franchise network has also contributed to a year of restaurant expansion. Five years after opening its first UK restaurant in North London, Zambrero has opened three new restaurants over the past six months, taking its UK estate to 16 locations in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Reading, Basingstoke, Essex and Glasgow.
Among the latest openings are several significant milestones for the brand. Franchise Partner Dan Hawley launched Zambrero’s first Scottish restaurant in Glasgow’s West End, while a new restaurant in St Paul’s strengthened the brand’s presence in the capital, becoming its third location in the City of London. Meanwhile, Sumin Lohani opened the first Hampshire restaurant at Festival Place in Basingstoke, further extending Zambrero’s footprint into key regional markets.
Growth with purpose
Beyond the franchise programme success, Zambrero reached another major milestone over the past 12 months, surpassing 100 million meals donated through its Plate 4 Plate initiative – a programme that has been at the heart of the brand’s mission since its early days. Founded by Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Sam Prince, Zambrero was built on the belief that business can be a force for good, combining great food with meaningful social impact. For every burrito or bowl purchased at a Zambrero restaurant, a nutritious meal is donated to someone in need through the brand’s global distribution partner, Rise Against Hunger℠.
Now, two decades after the initiative was launched, Plate 4 Plate remains a defining part of Zambrero’s identity and the reason the brand proudly describes itself as ‘Feel Good Mex’.
To see that impact first-hand, members of the Zambrero UK team recently took part in a Rise Against Hunger Vision Trip, witnessing how the meals donated through Plate 4 Plate are making a tangible difference to local communities and reinforcing the company’s commitment to giving back as it continues its growth journey.
Emily Teh continued: “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.”
Investing in technology and customer loyalty
Since launching in March 2026, Zam Club – Zambrero’s digital loyalty programme – has attracted more than 12,000 members, demonstrating strong customer engagement and providing Franchise Partners with a valuable platform to drive repeat visits and customer retention. Now available across all Zambrero UK restaurants, customers can earn stamps with every purchase and unlock a range of exclusive benefits.
Beyond enhancing the customer experience, Zambrero has invested in a new fully integrated ePOS system from Vita Mojo, designed to simplify restaurant operations and enhance the customer experience. Fully connected with the Zam Club loyalty platform, the technology creates a seamless customer journey while giving Franchise Partners a frictionless way to encourage repeat visits and build long-term customer loyalty.
Menu innovation fuels customer demand
Famous for its freshly made burritos and bowls, Zambrero has continued to innovate its menu. June saw the return of Power Burrito, its popular limited-time offer and the introduction of the new Power Bowl, delivering strong sales and helping Zambrero capitalise on the protein-first trend. This came off the back of another limited-time offer, Triple H, created in collaboration with local tattoo artist Miles Langford, which introduced a hot habanero honey sauce, further showcasing the menu’s ability to tap into consumer demand.
The strong performance of these menu innovations has been reflected in Zambrero’s sales growth, with like-for-like sales increasing by 28% over the past 12 months. This growth has been underpinned by sustained trading momentum, with like-for-like sales increasing by 36% during the preceding six-month period. These results highlight the strength of Zambrero’s evolving menu, customer proposition and ability to respond to emerging consumer trends.
Looking ahead: the next phase of growth
Following a successful first year, Zambrero is now entering an accelerated growth phase, with multiple restaurants in development and plans to significantly expand its franchise network over the next 12 months. The business is currently onboarding Franchise Partners for restaurants opening in Brackmills, the Isle of Man, Rochdale and Golders Green, as well as a second Glasgow location, reflecting growing demand across the UK.
By the end of 2026, Zambrero aims to sign a further 20 Franchise Partners, taking the total number with signed commitments to 35. Restaurant growth is also expected to accelerate, with up to 10 new restaurants forecast to open. In addition, a further 30 locations are being targeted for 2027, providing a strong platform for continued expansion.
The Development Agent network will remain a key focus as Zambrero continues to strengthen its regional support structure, with advanced discussions in progress for four of the remaining nine development agent territories. The business sees a significant opportunity to further expand its recruitment and support network as franchise growth continues.
Alongside its expansion plans, Zambrero will continue investing in technology to enhance both the customer and Franchise Partner experience. Building on the recent rollout of its Vita Mojo ePOS system and Zam Club loyalty platform, the brand plans to introduce click-and-collect, catering and mobile app ordering in the coming months, creating additional sales opportunities for Franchise Partners while further improving convenience for customers.
Emily Teh added: “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.”
Globally, Zambrero has more than 350 restaurants in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the USA, and the UK, and is the largest Mexican restaurant franchise in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.
For more information about Zambrero, including details of its franchise programme, visit: https://www.zambrero.co.uk/
