CONSTRUCTION is well underway on the "home of the Whopper" as Burger King is returning to a North East city after a long break away.

A brand new two-storey drive-thru restaurant is being built in Sunderland, years after the fast-food chain shut down its city centre location.

With around 34 jobs being created, the new site is going up at Salterfen Park, a new business park at the junction of Salterfen Road with Ryhope Road.

Read more: New Italian restaurant set to open in Darlington

Pictures this week showed the basic shell already up as construction workers were at the site adding brickwork to what will form the drive-thru area.

The Northern Echo: Picture: NORTHERN ECHOPicture: NORTHERN ECHO

It comes as Burger King has announced recruitment for the first set of jobs have gone live and are advertising for "managers."

Roles from Senior Restaurant Assistant Manager, Restaurant Assistant Manager positions and Restaurant Shift Manager positions are being advertised.

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Jeremy Wright, People Director of Burger King UK, said: “During what has been a very challenging few years for many businesses, we are delighted to be creating new job and career opportunities in the area, and look forward to welcoming 34 new starters into the Burger King family, at our new Sunderland restaurant.

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

The Northern Echo: Picture: JIM SCOTTPicture: JIM SCOTT

“We continue to be bold and ambitious in our growth plans across both locations and job opportunities.”

Plans for the Burger King drive-thru were first lodged back in 2020 as part of the Salterfen Business Park development.

Among tenants expected to move in over coming months, KFC, Starbucks and Greggs have been tipped to set up shop.

But the plans have prompted big controversy as a number of people have raised objections over the likes of traffic, highways, noise pollution and litter.

For more information on jobs click here.

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