IN Australia they come with an egg and beetroot, in Israel with garlic and in Japan with teriyaki sauce instead of ketchup.

These varieties and more may soon be on offer to British Burger King fans through a chain of Whopper Bars dedicated to its most famous burger.

Burger King executives are planning to build a chain of Whopper Bars in America this year and confirmed that Britain was next on the list. So far a handful of test sites have been identified for the chain, which will sell a variety of its signature hamburgers in a hipper, more adult setting.

Both Burger King and golden arches rival McDonald’s have been experimenting with “gourmet” burgers – McDonald’s has a higher-priced Aberdeen Angus burger while Burger King offers the Steakhouse Burger. The Whopper Bar takes the trend one step further.

The mini-chain will be smaller than a typical Burger King and offer Whopper exclusives not always available at the chain’s traditional restaurants and a “Pimp Your Whopper” where patrons can add their own toppings.

Burger King boss John Chidsey is using what he calls the “barbell strategy” to beef up profits at the once-ailing chain, pushing higher-priced products and cheap items on the same menu. Chidsey has targeted the UK as a key area for growth.

Burger King plans to build Whopper Bars in places such as airports and other venues with limited space.

Times Recommends

• C&G axed - 1,660 jobs to be lost
• UK house prices rise 1.1% as buyers return
• Mixed reaction to US banks repaying bailouts