Karali Group buys 46 Taco Bell restaurants, saves 650 jobs
Karali Group purchased 46 Taco Bell restaurants on November 24, 2025 in a prepack administration, becoming the United Kingdoms largest operator of the brand and preserving roughly 650 roles. The deal, handled by administrators Begbies Traynor and FRP Advisory and advised by law firm Freeths and PwC, keeps operations running at the acquired sites and limits immediate disruption for team members.
Karali Group completed the acquisition of 46 Taco Bell restaurants on November 24, 2025 after the previous franchisee entered a prepack administration. The transaction, overseen by administrators Begbies Traynor and FRP Advisory and advised by law firm Freeths and PwC along with PwC, made Karali the largest operator of Taco Bell in the United Kingdom and preserved roughly 650 roles that would otherwise have been at risk.
The deal was structured to enable continuity of service and staffing at the affected restaurants, keeping kitchens and front of house teams in place while ownership and management responsibilities transferred. For workers, the primary consequence is immediate job security and retention of existing operations at those sites, avoiding abrupt closures and the potential loss of income that can follow an administration process.
Beyond saving positions, the acquisition signals a system level change in the UK Taco Bell footprint. Karali Group has a long track record as a major Burger King franchisee and has recently expanded by acquiring other food brands. Adding 46 Taco Bell units consolidates a significant portion of the brand under one operator, which could lead to more centralized management practices and operational alignment across the estate.
For employees, a larger franchise operator often means more standardized training, established human resources processes, and potentially clearer pathways for internal transfers or promotion within a broader portfolio. At the same time, consolidation can bring changes in local practices, scheduling systems, and vendor relationships as the new owner integrates the sites into its wider operations. Those adjustments can take time and may require staff to adapt to new policies or reporting lines.
Industry observers say such transactions have become more common as franchise groups reshape portfolios to manage costs and scale operations. In this case the immediate outcome for workers was preservation of employment and continuity of service across 46 restaurants on the day after the acquisition.
