Burger King is betting big on China. The U.S. fast-food giant announced plans to more than triple its outlets across the country under a new joint venture with Cartier Capital, a Beijing-based private equity firm - a move that could make China one of the company’s largest markets globally within five years.

The deal, which will see Burger King expand from roughly 1,300 to over 4,000 restaurants, is aimed at tapping China’s rapidly rebounding consumer sector and a growing appetite for international fast-food brands beyond major cities.

“China remains a critical growth engine for Burger King,” said Tom Curtis, president of Burger King Global. “Our strategy is to combine local expertise with global quality to meet the evolving tastes of Chinese consumers.”

A High-Stakes Expansion

Under the agreement, Cartier Capital will hold a controlling stake in the venture, providing local financing, real estate support, and supply chain infrastructure. Burger King will retain brand management and product development oversight, mirroring models it has used in India and Brazil.

The partnership signals renewed confidence in China’s food service recovery after several years of pandemic disruption and sluggish retail demand. Analysts say the chain is positioning itself for a middle-class rebound fueled by lower-tier cities and delivery-driven dining.

“Fast food consumption in China is shifting from luxury to lifestyle,” said Angela Zhang, senior analyst at Euromonitor International. “Brands like Burger King are targeting consistency, convenience, and digital integration over novelty.”

Competing in a Crowded Market

The move intensifies competition with McDonald’s and KFC, which already dominate China’s quick-service landscape. McDonald’s operates over 6,000 stores, while KFC, run by Yum China, leads the sector with nearly 9,500 locations nationwide.

Burger King, which entered China in 2005, has long struggled to match that scale, citing franchise fragmentation and inconsistent brand execution. The new joint venture aims to fix that by consolidating regional operations and standardizing menu offerings.

The company will also invest heavily in mobile ordering, localized menus, and sustainable packaging, aligning with China’s digital-first food ecosystem and environmental policies.

“China is a delivery-first market,” said Curtis. “We’re designing our kitchens, stores, and menus around that reality.”

Global Context

The China expansion is part of a broader global push by Restaurant Brands International (RBI) — Burger King’s parent company — to revive growth across its portfolio, which includes Popeyes, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs.

RBI has set a target of opening 7,000 new Burger King restaurants worldwide by 2030, with Asia-Pacific contributing the largest share. In recent years, the company has restructured its supply chains and accelerated franchising deals to compete more aggressively with McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Domino’s.

Burger King’s revenue from international operations grew 12% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, according to company filings, driven by strong performance in India, Indonesia, and the Middle East.

The Takeaway

Burger King’s China push underscores how global brands are adapting to a post-pandemic consumer landscape defined by value, speed, and localization. The partnership with Cartier Capital gives the chain the scale it needs — but also ties its future to one of the world’s most competitive and politically sensitive markets.

If successful, the move could transform Burger King from a secondary player into a mainstream rival in the world’s second-largest fast-food economy.

“It’s not just about selling burgers,” Zhang said. “It’s about rebranding Burger King as a daily choice for Chinese consumers.”