US chain The Halal Guys plans three UK restaurants in 2019

US restaurant chain The Halal Guys is to open three London restaurants in early 2019 after sealing a UK franchise deal.

The brand will open its first UK restaurant on Irving Street off London's Leicester Square in March 2019, followed by two more locations in London later in the year.

Franchisee ITICO F+B has the development rights across the UK with plans to open 20 locations in the next five years.

The Halal Guys started life in 1990 in New York City when Egyptian immigrants Mohammed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abedelbaset Elsayed opened a hot dog cart there.

After recognising the huge demand from Muslim cab drivers looking for a good, fast halal meal they swapped the hot dogs for halal food.

The business opened its first franchise site in Chicago in 2015 and now has more than 80 restaurants in the US. It is set to have more than 100 sites worldwide by early 2019.

Its restaurants offer either a sandwich or platter in four different versions - chicken, beef, chicken & beef or falafel. They are served with a selection of toppings and sauces.

Jan Van Delden, franchisee and partner said: "Based on average sales per year per unit, the brand would be the second highest grossing ethnic restaurant group. We know this concept translates and this is an extremely important and exciting time for The Halal Guys."

Emma Cousins of CDG Leisure, which secured the Irving Street restaurant, has been appointed by The Halal Guys to oversee its ongoing property strategy in London. CDG will work with ITICO to source future sites in the city.

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