BYRON is the latest restaurant operator to unveil plans to open its doors into the increasingly busy burger scene in Scotland's largest city.
It has clinched a deal to launch an outlet on West George Street in Glasgow which is expected to create more than 40 jobs.
Once open it will add to the choice for burger lovers which has seen names such as Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Five Guys launch in the city centre in recent months.
There are also the likes of Bread Meats Bread, Burger Meats Bun, Jacker de Viande, Meat Hammer, Lebowski's and Buddy's competing in the upmarket burger space.
Byron said it had chosen Glasgow for its first Scottish site because of the strong dining options which are already on offer in the city.
Founder Tom Byng said: "Glasgow has a great burger scene and a fantastic restaurant scene in general. We always like to be in good company.
"Then there's everything else that the city has to offer, from its art and design heritage, its music scene, and the general friendliness and buzz, that make it a very exciting place to be opening.
"We think Scotland's beef is the best you can get, which is why we've always used it in our hamburgers - so it was a natural step to look to opening here as we grow."
Mr Byng said Scotland had been on the radar for some time but he had been waiting to find the right site.
He said: "We've been hunting for the ideal location for a while, and now we've found it, we can't wait to move in."
According to Mr Byng the design for the restaurant will take inspiration from the Bauhas art and architecture movement with smooth contoured surfaces, muted monochrome colours and minimalist fittings. An official opening date has not yet been set.
The restaurant will feature the classic, cheese and signature burgers along with a revolving special creation. Along with its own Byron Pale Ale and Byron Lager the company tends to stock a range of craft beers.
Byron, which was set up in 2007, sources the beef for its burgers from a number of farms in Scotland.
It wouldn't rule out taking in products from local suppliers for its first outlet in this country.
Mr Byng said: "We've never taken a one size fits all approach.
"[Local produce is] something we've done in other restaurants before, so we'll certainly be looking at it for Glasgow and elsewhere."
Asked whether further restaurants in Scotland could be on the cards Mr Byng said: "Our attitude has always been to do the best job we can with every new restaurant and then see where that takes us.
"If customers like what we do and ask us to open elsewhere, then that's a good sign."
Byron now has close to 50 outlets with the majority spread around London. It also has outlets in Bristol, Kent, Manchester, Camberley, Leeds, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Leicester, Cambridge, Exeter, Liverpool and York.
It was initially backed by Gondola Group, owner of Pizza Express and Zizzi, but was purchased by Hutton Collins Partners for £100 million in October 2013.
Hutton Collins has stakes in businesses including restaurant chain Wagamama and rubber boot maker Hunter.
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