This month, Oporto has launched its first UK store at London’s busiest metropolitan railway hub, Victoria Station. This is the first in a planned international store roll-out over the next two-years.
Confident that its great tasting products will have appeal internationally, the fast food franchise group has made a strategic move to duplicate its famous authentic fresh grilled chicken and burgers and irresistible sauces to the more than nine million travelers seeking a quick meal in transit.
Jeff Fisher, CEO of the chicken franchise chain, reports that sales for the first week were excellent and the hype prior to the opening, generated mainly among Aussie expats who already know Oporto, was overwhelming.
"Based on customer feedback and the line ups outside the store at the opening it’s clear that London was well overdue for a taste of Bondi.
"Many first time purchasers commented on our unique flavour profile as the most compelling factor compared to other quick service restaurants.
"We see this, along with the fact that we offer fresh grilled, 100% breast fillet chicken, as our formula for international success and growth."
The most popular burger sold at the new UK location is the legendary Bondi Burger, which is Oporto’s largest selling item in Australia with more than 7 million sold last year alone.
"The Bondi beach culture and Oporto’s uniquely Australian heritage is truly a winning formula in the UK," says Mr Fisher, "English people simply love the association with sun, surf and the laid back Aussie lifestyle."
The burger in its own right has not only been welcomed as a great meal, but has become an aspiration in its association with all that Australia has to offer. This has obviously assisted in making the rail-side quick-service restaurant an instant success.
The UK menu board offers the same much loved menu options as Oporto Australia. With only minor menu name changes introduced to adapt to the new market, for example The Norm Burger has been renamed the ‘Porto Classic Burger’ and the nuggets are called ‘Bondi Bites.’
The UK franchise is held under a master franchise agreement.
Oporto has 110 chicken franchise stores across Australia and New Zealand and opens an average of almost 15 stores every year. The chicken fast food franchise also plans to expand into the USA this year.