Bridgepoint, the owner of Burger King's UK operations, is in negotiations for a new franchise deal with Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the parent company of Burger King.

According to Sky News, Bridgepoint is set to secure a modified long-term deal with RBI and seeks to slash the number of new restaurants that it is required to open each year.

The report added that the new master franchise agreement (MFA) between the two parties could run until 2034.

Under the new deal, Bridgepoint could be required to make an investment in at least 20 new openings annually, which could rise close to 40 in the future.

Sources told the publication that the deal is expected to be made public within weeks.

Bridgepoint currently owns approximately 290 out of 600 restaurants in the UK while other franchisees own the remaining restaurants.

In 2017, Bridgepoint acquired the Burger King UK franchise Caspian UK Group for an undisclosed sum.

As per the deal, Bridgepoint became the brand's master franchisee in the UK and also acquired 66 restaurant portfolios from the franchisee.

In July 2020, Burger King warned that it could close up to 10% of its outlets in the UK, which would put hundreds of jobs at risk.

In July 2021, Sky News reported that Bridgepoint planned to divest its operations.

In addition to the UK locations, Bridgepoint also has some Burger King locations in France.