UK-based restaurant chain Honest Burgers has appointed Kevin Styles as its new CEO.
Styles, previously CEO of the Jamie Oliver Group, brings extensive experience to the role, having spearheaded the development of new restaurant concepts and a cooking school for the group, as reported by The Caterer.
He has also held leadership positions at Vue International, American Golf, Best Buy Europe and Kingfisher.
Styles succeeds Thomas Kelly, who has transitioned to the role of chair since September 2024.
Matt Brandon has served as interim CEO and will return to his position as chief financial officer.
Honest Burger chair Thomas Kelly was quoted by The Caterer: “We’re really excited to welcome Kevin to the Honest family. His extensive experience and forward-thinking vision make him the perfect leader to guide us into our next phase and we look forward to seeing the impact he will have on our brand.”
With 39 locations throughout the UK, Honest Burgers is expected to exceed £60m ($74.66m) turnover in 2025.
This financial milestone follows a 10% increase in like-for-like sales and a significant 50% rise in earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation.
The company's growth trajectory has been further supported by the launch of its grab-and-go smashburger concept, Smash + Grab, in December 2024.
Styles said: “This brand has a unique opportunity to really disrupt a sector that is evolving quickly.
“The quality of the offer, highly competitive value, a very strong and distinctive brand all combined with amazing restaurant teams provide an incredible platform for sustainable growth.”
The ambition to expand fourfold by 2030 relies on the launch of the new Smash + Grab concept.
The concept was kick-started by a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised £2.7m ($3.35m) in 2023.
At its inception, Honest Burgers expressed its intention to challenge industry giants by offering a smashburger that cooks in under two minutes.
Honest Burgers was founded by Tom Barton and Philip Eeles in Brighton in 2009.
