Honest Burgers: History, Key Facts and Reviews

2009-2011: from a Brighton marquee to Brixton Village

Honest Burgers began in 2009 in Brighton, where friends Tom Barton and Philip Eeles co-founded the business (Restaurant Online). The two recent graduates wanted no part of a nine-to-five job. They started with a marquee, a griddle and a fryer, and one aim: high-quality British burgers (Lucky Saint). Honest Burgers Ltd was registered on 12 January 2011 (Companies House). The same year they opened their first permanent restaurant, a small unit without its own toilet inside Brixton Village market, on Coldharbour Lane. That site still trades, and it tops our guide to the best burgers in London.

2012-2023: a London chain that reaches Cardiff and Manchester

Honest Burgers grew as a London restaurant group before opening further afield. Most of its sites are in the capital, with branches as far as Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester (Wikipedia). The growth came with friction. In February 2023 the company told staff they could be fired and rehired if they refused to give up paid breaks. In December 2023 HMRC filed a winding-up petition after talks on a payment plan for a tax bill broke down; Honest paid and the petition was withdrawn. The chain employed around 700 people at the time (City AM). The same year it raised £2.8 million to launch Honest Smashed, a quick-service spin-off.

2024-2025: new management and 39 restaurants

Honest Burgers entered 2024 with growing sales and a new leadership team. Thomas Kelly became chief executive in January 2024 and moved to the role of group chair in September, when finance director Matt Brandon took over as interim CEO. At that point the group ran 39 restaurants across England and Wales. Sales rose 14% in the first half of 2024, like-for-like delivery sales were up 22%, and the chain had extended its exclusive deal with Uber Eats until 2026 (Restaurant Online). In August 2025 the head office moved to the Menier Building on Southwark Street, in London. The parent company, Honest Group Ltd, filed its group accounts for the year to 26 January 2025 in October 2025 (Companies House).

Key dates

• 2009: Tom Barton and Philip Eeles start Honest Burgers in Brighton.
• 2011: first permanent restaurant in Brixton Village, south London.
• 2023: fire-and-rehire row over paid breaks; £2.8 million raised for Honest Smashed.
• 2024: 39 restaurants across England and Wales; Matt Brandon becomes interim CEO.
• 2025: head office moves to the Menier Building, Southwark.