Burger King China

Burger King China operates as the master franchisee for the Burger King brand in mainland China. The company's history in the region began with its first outlet opening in Shanghai in June 2005, significantly later than its main competitors, KFC and McDonald's.

In 2012, Turkish company TFI TAB Gıda Investments (TFI), in partnership with Cartesian Capital Group, acquired the master franchise rights and embarked on a major expansion. Under TFI's management, the chain grew from approximately 60 restaurants to around 1,500 by early 2025. This growth was part of a strategy to increase its footprint across China, including plans to open 200 new restaurants annually starting in 2023 and expanding into lower-tier cities. The business model focuses on quick-service restaurants, localizing its menu with cost-effective offerings to appeal to a wider consumer base, and exploring concepts like cloud kitchens for delivery and self-pickup services.

However, the operation faced challenges, including struggling to match the market penetration of rivals, which led to operational setbacks. In February 2025, Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the global parent company of Burger King, acquired nearly 100% of Burger King China from TFI and Cartesian for approximately $158 million. Following the acquisition, RBI announced its intention to find a new local operating partner to inject capital and take a controlling stake, aligning with its long-term strategy of using experienced local operators for its primarily franchised business model.

Keywords: quick service restaurant, QSR China, fast food chain, master franchisee, restaurant operator, flame-grilled burgers, Western fast food, restaurant expansion, food service, China food and beverage