News

New BK management sends franchisees to bed earlier

December 15, 2010

Nocturnal Burger King fans craving a Whopper at 1:59 a.m. are now going to have to wait it out. The company, under new management, has decided it will no longer require restaurants to stay open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

This announcement is one of the first major policy moves by the company’s new senior management team, which was put into place after the company’s sale to 3G Capital in October.

The change came following discussions with franchisees on how to increase profits. The 2 a.m. closing time has long been an issue for BK franchisees. Three Florida-based franchisees have argued in litigation for more than two years over the mandatory late-night hours, claiming it is unprofitable and unsafe for employees.

Burger King lost its effort to get the case dismissed in the Miami-Dade Circuit Court.

The new mandatory hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, and 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday. In markets that dictate a later crowd, however, franchisees are encouraged to stay open either until 2 a.m. or for 24 hours.