Former England and Leicester Tigers hooker Tom Youngs has swapped the rugby pitch for a burger grill, launching a new stall that’s becoming a family favorite in rural Leicestershire. The stall, located at Glebe Farm near the village of Syston, offers handmade burgers using meat sourced from local farms, drawing crowds since its opening last month. Youngs, 36, told BBC News the venture has brought fresh life—and new customers—to the farm, which had previously relied on seasonal sales like pumpkin patches and Christmas trees. “It’s been brilliant to see families come down, try the food, and really enjoy themselves,” Youngs said. “We’re using the best local ingredients we can get, and it’s making a real difference.”

From rugby pitch to burger grill

Youngs retired from professional rugby in 2022 after 13 years with Leicester Tigers and 33 England caps. His post-sports career began with farming, a passion inherited from his father, but the burger stall emerged as a way to diversify income and engage the community. Located in a converted barn, the stall operates weekends and bank holidays, serving up to 100 customers a day during peak times. Menu items include classic beef burgers, chicken options, and vegetarian alternatives, all accompanied by hand-cut chips and homemade sauces. “I wanted to create something that felt special but still accessible,” Youngs said. “We’re not trying to be a Michelin-starred restaurant—just a place where people can enjoy a good meal together.”

The farm’s shift toward food retail reflects a broader trend among rural businesses seeking to supplement traditional income streams. Glebe Farm, owned by Youngs’ family for generations, had long relied on seasonal attractions, but the burger stall has become a year-round draw. Local farmers have also benefited, supplying beef and pork that meets the stall’s quality standards. “We’ve had great support from neighboring farms,” Youngs said. “It’s been a real team effort.”

Youngs handles most of the cooking himself, with help from his wife and a small team of part-time staff. The operation is small-scale but efficient, designed to keep overheads low while maximizing freshness. “We’re making everything fresh every day,” he said. “No frozen patties, no shortcuts. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it properly.” The stall’s popularity has already led to discussions about expanding the menu and potentially adding a seating area, though Youngs insists the focus remains on quality over scale. “We’re not looking to become a chain,” he said. “This is about creating something authentic that people will remember.”

The venture has also sparked interest from other ex-professional athletes exploring post-sport careers. Youngs, who remains involved in rugby through commentary and charity work, sees food as a natural next step for many retiring sportspeople. “Food brings people together,” he said. “It’s something you can share with family, friends, teammates—it’s universal. I think a lot of athletes could find success in this kind of business if they’re willing to put in the work.”

For Glebe Farm, the burger stall has become more than just a new revenue stream; it’s a community hub. Families regularly return on weekends, and the stall has hosted local events like birthday parties and farm tours. Youngs hopes the success will inspire other rural businesses to explore similar ventures, particularly as traditional farming incomes face increasing pressure. “At the end of the day, we’re just trying to keep the farm alive and thriving,” he said. “If we can do that while bringing people together over a good meal, then we’ve done something right.”

What You Need to Know

  • Source: BBC News
  • Published: May 13, 2026 at 13:58 UTC
  • Category: Business
  • Topics: #bbc · #business · #economy · #england · #leicester-tigers · #tom-youngs

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 13, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O ex-jogador de rúgbi inglês Tom Youngs, ex-estrela do Leicester Tigers e da seleção da Inglaterra, descobriu um novo talento para o sucesso fora dos campos: agora, ele atrai famílias com uma barraca de hambúrgueres artesanais em uma fazenda em Leicestershire, no Reino Unido. Com ingredientes frescos e de origem local, seu negócio tem chamado a atenção não só pela qualidade, mas também pela criatividade em um mercado dominado por grandes redes.

No Brasil, onde o setor de food trucks e lanchonetes móveis cresce rapidamente — especialmente após a pandemia —, a história de Youngs serve como inspiração para empreendedores que buscam inovar em um segmento cada vez mais competitivo. O caso reforça a tendência de valorização da gastronomia local e sustentável, tema que ganha força também em terras brasileiras, com iniciativas que conectam produtores rurais a consumidores urbanos. Para os leitores brasileiros, fica a lição de que reinventar carreiras e apostar em nichos pode ser tão lucrativo quanto arriscado.

A próxima virada pode estar justamente naqueles que, como Youngs, enxergam oportunidades onde outros só veem rotina.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

Una joven estrella del rugby británico ha revolucionado el sector gastronómico con un puesto de hamburguesas que ya se ha convertido en un éxito entre las familias de Leicestershire. Tom Youngs, exjugador de Inglaterra y los Leicester Tigers, ha logrado transformar su pasión por la cocina en un negocio próspero en una granja local, atrayendo a decenas de comensales cada fin de semana.

El proyecto no solo destaca por su propuesta de menú basado en ingredientes frescos y de proximidad, sino que refleja una tendencia creciente en Europa: la revalorización de los circuitos cortos de alimentación y el apoyo a pequeños productores. Para los hispanohablantes, este caso sirve como ejemplo de cómo emprender en sectores tradicionales con innovación y autenticidad, algo cada vez más valorado en un mercado saturado de cadenas globales. Además, subraya la importancia de la identidad local en la gastronomía, un valor que resuena en comunidades con fuerte arraigo cultural como las de España y Latinoamérica.