Burger King links with Easygroup

Computers are to be installed in Burger King's flagship restaurant in London's Piccadilly as part of a deal with easyGroup, owner of the easyInternetCafé chain.

If the idea proves popular, Burger King could extend the deal to other branches across the UK.

EasyGroup has already been marketing its easyInternetCafé chain to the coffee bar industry and is currently in talks with Coffee Republic about renting space in its coffee shops.

This type of deal is likely to appeal to fast-food restaurants and coffee shops in prime retail positions where rent is at a premium.

"Burger King have not been doing too well and sales have been poor, so it makes complete sense," said analyst Greg Feehely of Old Mutual Securities.

"No one is making money in the coffee bar market and we are likely to see a lot more of these type of deals in the future," he added.

Burger King Corporation UK general manager André Lacroix said that after talks with easyGroup chairman Stelios Haji-Ioannou it became clear that both businesses were targeting the same "young, urban customers".

"We plan on using our Piccadilly restaurant to develop this innovative idea and will consider possible ways to extend the concept across our business in the UK," he said.

In the UK, Burger King has 85 owned restaurants and 603 franchised operations.