There were wild cheers across the UAE’s fast food-starved culinary scene earlier this morning as a local entrepreneur unveiled groundbreaking plans to open a new burger restaurant in Dubai.

“After years of extensive research into the local food industry and gaps in the market I realised that what really Dubai needed was a dedicated burger joint to call its own,” said 26-year-old Ali Shams, who says he’s already located a prime, beachside location and, thanks to an interest-free loan from his father’s bank, should be serving up “classic, no nonsense, beef burgers” in just a few weeks.

The news had has been greeted with enthusiasm from all corners of the city, with several residents pointing out the length of time it currently takes them to walk to a burger bar set up by an inspiring local businessman.

“If I wanted a thick-cut, succulent, homegrown burger right now, it’d take me three minutes door-to-door minimum, and I’d have to cross a road,” complained Dubai Marina resident Theresa Barry.

But Shams doesn’t intend to stop at just one outpost for his juicy patties, and says with the “right strategy, hard work and another loan or two” he soon hopes to have a chain of restaurants across the UAE, alongside a fleet of ultra-cool food trucks.

“Once I discovered this niche in the market, putting together my business plan has actually been relatively easy,” admitted Shams, who said the most difficult issue has been trying to come up with a name not already taken.

“Seriously… Dubai Burger, Jumeirah Burger, Burj Burger, Yalla Burger, Khalifa Burger, Marhaba Burger, Platinum Burger, DXB Burger… all gone.”