Burger King launches bid to sell booze

Burger King has applied for alcohol licences at a number of its restaurants, which if approved will make it the first fast food chain in the UK to sell alcohol.

Burger King’s Whopper Wine, launched earlier this year to mark the chain’s 40th anniversary

The chain has applied for licences at just four of its 654 UK branches so far; Newcastle-under-Lyme, Blackpool, Hull and Bury St Edmunds.

If granted, Burger King will be able to sell alcohol from 10am to 11pm seven days a week, and could apply for licences nationwide.

Commenting on the decision, a spokesperson for Burger King said the chain was “just catching up with the rest of the world, really.”

Fast food chains and coffee shops in the US and UK have launched various initiatives in recent years which have seen alcohol served, including Starbucks and Taco Bell.

Burger King already sells alcohol in some parts of the US, Singapore, Venezuela and Spain through its’ kiosk-style Whopper Bars. Rivals McDonald’s also serve alcohol at some of its European branches.

However this latest move by Burger King seems to signal its growing interest in capitalising on the drinks trade.

Earlier this year Burger King released its own red wine brand, Whopper Wine, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of Burger King’s first branch in Spain. The oak aged red has been crafted specifically to pair with the chain’s famous Whopper burgers.

While this is Burger King’s first foray into wine, rival McDonald’s already sells wine in a number of its South American sites.