H3 Hambúrguer Gourmet

: main drivers for internationalization and faced challenges : H3 Hambúrguer Gourmet case study

Abstract

H3 Hambúrguer Gourmet, a notorious Portuguese burger company, known for having transformed Portuguese fast food market, started its operations in 2007 at Monumental Shopping in Lisbon city center. Consumers were delighted with the new fresh breeze in the Portuguese fast food market which they have waited for so long. H3 Hambúrguer Gourmet wanted to prove that craving for burgers didn´t have to be equal to plastic food, but rather equal to 100% genuine veal meat, 200 grams of pure quality meat for a tasty meal during a busy day. Eating burgers don´t have to be a sign of pure fast food, actually, h3 Hambúrguer Gourmet is able to offer a tasty, just-in-time meal prepared right in front of the client. The company initially aimed to target a specific market niche, although, the viral effect of h3 Hambúrguer Gourmet led this company to be a study target for many students and companies who were truly inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit and willpower of three best friends. This dissertation aims to cover real challenges and strategic decisions faced by a national company with real people who struggled with an extremely competitive and saturated fast food market. Despite the macro economic recession, a national company was able to see outside of the box, creating a concept which no one ever thought before. The amount of success was so big that by 2010 (only three years after h3´s foundation date), h3 Hambúrguer Gourmet faced an immense adherence rate among domestic saturation. With apparently no room to grow, the company has decided to internationally take a risk and started its internationalization process in Poland. Spain and Brazil were next, although, the international outcomes were not exactly what the management team had expected. This work aims to reveal the reasons and critical factors which contributed to the unexpected international outcomes experienced by h3 Hambúrguer Gourmet. Nevertheless, entrepreneurial facets and strategic marketing are also topics covered during this dissertation, focusing on the diverse modes of entry adopted by h3 Hambúrguer Gourmet, being a critical factor that determined the success or failure of international operations. In what extent does h3 Hambúrguer Gourmet really know its international costumers? How can be international culture correctly addressed at h3´s corporate strategy? Relevant topics are going to be introduced further on in the Literature Review section, and the critical aspects of brand creation and internationalization strategy are going to be discussed at the h3 Hambúrguer Gourmet´s Case Study. This dissertation aims to give a broader view to real challenges faced by a national company which is constantly innovating itself being ultimately a laboratory of new concepts and a national reference of excellence and premium quality at affordable prices.

Date of Award	21 Feb 2014
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Pedro Celeste (Supervisor)