Talks with potential buyers have reportedly been held by Burger King, the American fast food chain.

The second-largest US hamburger group has supposedly been in talks with private equity firms in recent weeks.

Burger King has recently seen a fall in sales and demand and due to the weak economy in the US.

Burger King management have said key food ingredients, such as beef for the hamburger patties, have also impacted company profits.

The company said in August that high US unemployment and government austerity programmes in several European countries would hit sales.