This Tuesday, the burger takes center stage with International Burger Day. The burger has long made a name for itself in France, the land of ham and butter.
Are you more of a Big Mac, Whopper, or Kentucky burger fan? Maybe you prefer a more traditional burger served in a restaurant or outside a fast-food chain? Or are you among those who still haven’t succumbed to the hamburger?
How long ago was the McDonald’s TV commercial where a grandfather eating lunch with his grandchildren wanted cutlery to eat with? The hamburger, which became popular in the United States, has earned its place in the sun among the French.
More hamburgers than ham and butter sandwiches
In 2019, 1.7 billion hamburgers were consumed in France, which means more than 25 per person throughout the year or two per month, according to the catering specialist Gira conseil. Revenue increased by 12%. Since 2018, even more hamburgers than ham-and-butter sandwiches have been sold in France.
Why such a rush? The burger has the advantage of “combining four products that are consumed in large quantities in France: bread, meat, cheese, and French fries,” explained Bernard Boutboul, founder of Gira conseil.
The undisputed leader remains McDonald’s with 1,490 restaurants across France. There are also 346 Burger King restaurants, 262 Quick outlets, which have been replaced by KFC for chicken lovers. In recent years, newcomers like the American Big Fernand or Five Guys have taken their place at the nation’s table. Regional entrepreneurs should not be forgotten, such as the former rugby player Patrick Soula, who founded Tommy’s Diner in Toulouse in 1993. Today there are twelve restaurants across France.
On the menu of most restaurants
To enjoy a good hamburger, simply visit the restaurants in your neighborhood. According to Gira conseil, 85% of the 145,000 restaurants in France offer at least one hamburger on their menu. Furthermore, 75% of hamburgers consumed in France are ordered in traditional restaurants rather than fast-food outlets.
Proof that the hamburger has become a staple in French restaurants.