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Zambrero has announced the appointment of three development agents to lead its expansion across the West Midlands and South West of England.
The new hires – James Fleck, Michelle Jelfs and Sarah Preston – will manage franchise partner recruitment in both regions. News of their appointments is part of the restaurant group’s strategy to reach 100 UK sites by 2030.
The team plans to open more than 20 restaurants over the next three years. The expansion is expected to create 300 full and part-time jobs in the two territories.
Development will target high footfall locations in large towns and cities. Primary areas include Birmingham, Coventry and Worcester in the West Midlands, alongside Bristol, Exeter and Bath in the South West.
Fleck, Jelfs and Preston previously managed growth in the West Midlands for a global quick-service brand. The trio has experience recruiting more than 100 franchise partners and opening 120 restaurants.
The agents will assist partners with property acquisition, operational support and regional marketing. Zambrero currently operates 14 UK sites in locations including London, Manchester and Birmingham.
The group, which started in Australia, operates more than 350 restaurants globally. It uses a humanitarian initiative where a meal is donated for every burrito or bowl purchased.
Emily Teh, chief executive of Zambrero, said: “We’re delighted to welcome James, Michelle and Sarah to the Zam Fam and are excited about the role their experience will play in accelerating our growth across the West Midlands and South West.
“Their appointment represents a significant step forward in our UK expansion strategy, and we’re looking forward to introducing Zambrero to even more people across the two regions. We’ve seen the success of our regional Development Agent model in other markets, including Australia and Ireland, where we lead the Mexican QSR category, and we’re confident this proven approach will enable the team to replicate that success here in the UK.”
Fleck added: “We’re incredibly excited to join the Zam Fam at such a pivotal stage in the brand’s growth. Having worked within the hospitality industry for many years, it is clear to me that Zambrero truly stands out – from its fresh, high-quality Mexican food and modern restaurant design, to its positive culture and clear sense of purpose.
“What really inspires us is the Plate 4 Plate initiative, which goes far beyond being a brand differentiator; it’s a mission we feel personally connected to, and we’re proud to be a part of a business that gives back. When we consider all these things, we really think we’ve hit on something special. As we keep telling everyone we speak to, there’s just something about Zambrero.”
