Burger King outlet at Ilminster Rest Area, situated right of the entrance, next to Greggs. BK feels very separate from the rest of the interior and has its own customer seating, however, when Ilminster’s busy, especially during summer peaks, customers can use the communal seating available here as an overflow. Burger King has traded from Ilminster since 1996 when Little Chef and BK replaced Happy Easter. BK continued trading after Little Chef closed in 2018 as its one of EGs major partners and for two years, Burger King was the only brand trading from this amenity building, leaving customers disappointed at the lack of choice. When the entire amenity building was closed for refurbishment in 2020, Burger King was relocated and Drive Thru lanes were added to the side of the amenity building, offering customers BK items quicker. This drive thru also prevents the interior of Ilminster’s building overflowing when the sites busy. BK was the first brand to open once the site was fully refurbished, since then Sainsburys opened (soon after closed) and Greggs opened. BK takes most of the afternoon trade and although they offer at breakfast menu, Greggs is a lot more popular in the mornings than BK. Burger King is frequently criticised for rapid price inflation and this Ilminster branch is no exception. BK inflate their prices to attract operators, such as EG, but all this does is put customers off. BK is a well-known example of roadside brand inflation and typically when customers see it, they are put off as they are not value for money, & may not stop, gravitating trade towards the likes of McDonald’s. Despite this, BK is popular at Ilminster & between around 12 and 10:30 (when it closes for the night) it’s fairly busy. My pic was taken around 9am when it had only just opened, so it was empty. Burger King is advertised lots around the site, but isn’t signposted from the A303 either side.

Photo taken on 04/04/2024 by Tom Moon.

Assigned to galleries: Ilminster, Burger King, A303, EG Group