Source: GB News

Kawaguchiko, Japan – A Five Guys restaurant near Fort Dunlop in northwest Birmingham has joined several other UK locations in modifying its menu to accommodate halal dietary requirements. The restaurant has begun using halal-certified British beef and has removed bacon, hot dogs, and alcoholic beverages from its offerings.

Menu Changes and Company Statement

According to a statement from Five Guys, “Our burgers use halal-certified British beef that is prepared following specific practices, as required to become halal certified, whilst maintaining humane and ethical standards without compromising on animal welfare according to UK and EU legislation.”

The company further explained that to achieve full halal certification, certain items needed to be removed from the menu at these specific locations. “In order for the stores to be fully halal certified we will not offer bacon, hot dogs or alcohol at these stores,” the statement noted, adding that they “may look to introduce a halal-certified hot dog” in the future.

This Birmingham location is reportedly one of six Five Guys restaurants across the United Kingdom that have implemented these menu modifications.

Diverse Reactions to the Change

The decision has prompted varied responses from customers and commentators. Some have welcomed the move as an inclusive step that acknowledges the dietary requirements of Muslim consumers, while others have expressed concern about the removal of popular menu items.

Sam Bidwell of the Adam Smith Institute think tank contextualized the decision by noting the demographic makeup of the area: “In some neighbourhoods near the shop, the population is 75 percent plus Muslim. Different menus for different communities.”

Other commentators have expressed concerns that such changes might contribute to cultural divisions or represent an erosion of traditional menu options. Trade unionist Paul Embery characterized the situation as “asymmetrical multiculturalism,” suggesting that while diverse cultural practices are accommodated, traditional options are being diminished.

Business Strategy in Diverse Markets

The menu adaptation appears to be part of a broader business strategy to cater to local market preferences. Fast food chains and restaurants increasingly tailor their offerings to match the demographic and cultural characteristics of the communities they serve.

This practice extends beyond halal certification, with many international food chains modifying their menus across different countries and regions to align with local tastes, dietary restrictions, and cultural preferences.

Five Guys, which originated in the United States in 1986 and expanded to the UK in 2013, has grown rapidly across Britain with over 100 locations. The company continues to adapt its business model to serve diverse communities across the country.

This move by Five Guys follows similar decisions by other food service companies that have introduced halal-certified options or dedicated halal-only locations in areas with significant Muslim populations, reflecting the evolving demographic landscape of contemporary Britain.

Original Articles:

gbnews.com. (n.d.). Five Guys BANS pork and alcohol in new ‘halal’ restaurant as fears raised over ‘Islamic enclaves’ in Britain. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.gbnews.com/news/five-guys-pork-alcohol-halal-restaurant-birmingham-islam-muslim