Popular Australian fast food chain set to open 100 new UK restaurants

The UK food scene is considerably livelier and more varied than our reputation would have it.

Far from being limited to fish and chips for dinner after beans on toast for breakfast and a meal deal for lunch, many of us will eat various world cuisines on a daily basis, and we’re never short on options when it comes to eating out.

When it comes to fast food, it’s hard to believe many places are doing better for options than the UK. Along with the decades-tenured likes of McDonald’s, KFC, Domino’s, and Burger King, new brands are arriving on these shores at pace.

The UK is in a golden age of fast food chains, with more brands appearing on these shores all the time (ASphotowed/Getty Images)

Popeye’s, Hooters, Jollibee, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Chick-fil-A, and Fat Phill’s are just a few examples, and many more of us are on the verge of being introduced to an Australian brand too.

Known as ‘the best Mexican on the market’ in its homeland down under, Zambrero is poised to take the UK by storm with 100 new outlets planned to open here by 2030.

It already has 13 locations around the country, with locations in London, Essex, Reading, Birmingham and Manchester, but a decent innings since its 2021 launch means big expansion plans are now underway.

2026 will see the first Zambrero in Scotland, along with many more new sites opening in England.

‘We’ve had a lot of interest in the brand during the last couple of years – and now is the right time for us to expand through our franchise partners and work towards opening 100 restaurants by 2030,’ said Emily Teh, CEO of Zambrero UK, in a statement.

Zambrero’s sells build-you-own burritos, nachos, and quesadillas with a wide variety of fillings. If it’s classic Mexican grub, you can be confident it’s got a spot on Zambrero’s menu.

Small burritos and bowls start from £10, with the larger options hitting around £13.

The chain was first opened in Canberra, Australia back in 2005, there are over 300 outlets around the world, and it’s now the biggest Mexican fast food chain in Australia and Ireland.

“An absolute must go. I have three out of five of my lunches there. Best Mexican on the market,” said one social media user, while others have called it ‘the perfect work lunch spot’.

Zambrero first appeared in the UK in 2021 (Nigel Harris/Getty Images)

If you’re interested to give it a go before its nationwide expansion here in the UK, you can currently find Zambrero outlets at the following locations.

• London: Cannon Street, Eastcheap, Kentish Town, Battersea, Crouch End, Twickenham
• Essex: Chelmsford and Loughton
• Reading: Queen Victoria Street
• Birmingham: Bull Ring and Colmore Row
• Manchester: Cross Street and Manchester Piccadilly.