8 restaurant chains that really should be in Beijing

Beijing needs a proper Nando's. Don't @ us

We'll admit that we're pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in Beijing. And yes, there are chain restaurants galore in this city already. But still, everyone's got that one guilty pleasure that's not yet arrived. Here's the overseas fast-food and fast-casual chains that we'd love to see in Beijing.

Greggs

A British lunchtime staple, in northern English cities like Newcastle and Sunderland, you're never more than ten metres away from a Greggs (probably). Offering a range of pasties, sandwiches, pastries and soups – the sausage roll is an institution – Beijing wouldn't go wrong with a Greggs or two.

Nando's

Photograph: courtesy @nandosuk via Instagram.

Founded in South Africa, peri-peri peddler Nando's is known for its Mozambican-Portuguese-style chicken dishes, as well as being a popular spot for gym lads looking for a post-workout protein load and teenagers on awkward first dates. And yes, we're aware that there's a restaurant in Sanlitun called Peri Peri that serves knock-off Nando's-style chicken. And no, it's nowhere close to being the same.

Wetherspoons

Photograph: courtesy @haimeibaole via Instagram.

A chain of pubs found across Britain and the Republic of Ireland, Wetherspoons is the perfect place to drink cheap beers, eat tasty, no-frills pub grub and get into an argument about football with someone's dad on a Friday night. A popular meeting point to start your night out, their Tuesday steak night and Thursday curry club help thousands of students make it through university...

Five Guys

Photograph: courtesy @fiveguys via Instagram.

Between Five Guys and In-N-Out Burger, you could say there’s a bit of an American East Coast vs West Coast thing going on, with the big differences being slightly higher price in the former, and plans to invade China in the latter. Otherwise, Five Guys, just like In-N-Out, has that nostalgic, 1950s, tiled-wall American diner feel, with thick, handmade, never-frozen burgers and a wide selection of free toppings.

Jack in the Box

Photograph: courtesy @jackinthebox via Instagram.

Jack in the Box is a fast-food amalgamation of West Coast Americana – burgers, tacos, egg rolls and a clown for a mascot. Though the place is most famous for its tacos, which, in The Wall Street Journal, one fan likened to 'A wet envelope of cat food' and elaborated, 'There are two kinds of people: those who think they're disgusting and those who agree they’re disgusting but are powerless to resist them.'

Hungry Jack's

Sort of like Burger King (it's owned by the same corporation), but dare we say better, this Aussie burger joint is the sponsor company of Australia's National Basketball League but eating there won't make you better at dunking. It's the other home of the Whopper and their Storm ice cream gives the McDonald's McFlurry a serious run for its money.

Tim Hortons

Photograph: courtesy @timhortons via Instagram.

Also known as Timmy, Timmy's or Tim's, Tim Hortons is as Canadian as an ice hockey-induced bar fight and is the country's leading purveyor in donuts, coffee, breakfast and baked goods. They've already expanded into the Philippines, with Miss Universe Canada 2016 present at the first location's ribbon-cutting – so a hop and a skip over the Nine-Dash Line into China isn't so unrealistic.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

Photograph: courtesy @popeyeslouisianakitchen via Instagram.

This fast-food chain specialises in New Orleans ('Nawlins') flavours like jambalaya, Cajun rice and po' boy sandwiches, but its main calling card is spicy fried chicken, second only to KFC. But if you're team Popeyes, that ice cream-suited Kentucky dandy can take his 11 herbs and spices to hell. If you ever need Popeyes' highly processed flavours from the American Bayou, there’s a location at Hong Kong International Airport.

Have we missed out any of your favourite chains? Let us know in the comments. For the best burgers in Beijing, hit 'Read more'.

More from Time Out Beijing