Burger 21 Targets New York Tri-State Area for Additional Development Opportunities

TAMPA, Fla., June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Burger 21^®, a new better burger franchise founded by the owners of The Melting Pot^® Restaurants, Inc., announced it is targeting the New York Tri-State area for future expansion. The fast casual concept aims to develop dozens of new restaurants in the region, including Long Island, the New York City boroughs, northern New Jersey and western Connecticut. Currently, Burger 21 has seven restaurants open and 18 locations in development, including the brand's first location in New York state, which is slated to open in Albany in late 2013.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130214/NY60474LOGO )

"Burger 21's franchise growth continues to build momentum in the Northeast with our recent agreements in New Jersey, the Washington, D.C. metro area, Pennsylvania and New York. We offer a unique business opportunity for entrepreneurs in New York that creates new jobs and supports economic growth," said Mark Johnston, president and chief concept officer of Burger 21 and president of Front Burner Brands, management company for Burger 21. "We are excited to launch our development plans for the Tri-State area and are confident consumers will love our crafted burgers, hand-dipped shakes and menu variety, which have allowed us to stand out among better burger concepts."

Burger 21 recently was named one of Fast Casual's Top 100 "Movers and Shakers" of 2013. The concept ranked No. 22 based on its variety of innovative recipes and recent expansion. In addition, the franchise's latest gluten-free menu received the No. 1 ranking for the "Top 10 Menu Innovations" and Mark Johnston was recognized as one of the "Top 20 People" for his strategic leadership in the growth and development of the brand.

"The quality at Burger 21 is unmatched by any other fast casual better burger concept I've been to — and I have eaten at a lot of burger establishments," said Charlie Haney, Burger 21 franchisee in Voorhees, N.J. "My customers are constantly saying 'this is the best burger I have ever had!' It's a great feeling as a business owner."

To further fuel Burger 21's expansion in the New York Tri-State area, the company is actively seeking qualified franchisees and will be exhibiting at The International Franchise Expo June 20-22 at The Javits Center in New York City. Local entrepreneurs are invited to meet with the brand's franchise development team at Booth #117 to learn more about growth opportunities.

Additionally, Burger 21 will host a live webinar on Thursday, June 27 at 2 p.m. EDT. To register, or to learn more about franchising opportunities with Burger 21, please visit www.burger21franchise.com/events.aspx or contact Ashley Pollard, franchise development manager for Burger 21, at 813-425-6252 or [email protected].

Since launching its aggressive growth plan in fall 2011, Burger 21 has signed franchise agreements with 11 different entities in eight states to develop a total of 21 franchised units in cities spanning from New York to Florida. 

Burger 21 is seeking single- and multi-unit operators with restaurant experience to join its upscale fast casual dining concept. Franchisee candidates should have a minimum net worth of $500,000 and liquid assets of at least $200,000 per unit. Burger 21 will be developed through both single-unit agreements and Area Development Agreements. Depending on the real estate site selected, franchisees can expect the total investment for one restaurant to be approximately $414,495 – $831,995. The initial franchise fee is $40,000; however, reduced franchise fees apply for Area Development Agreements of four or more units. 

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Burger 21, contact Ashley Pollard, franchise development manager for Burger 21, at 813-425-6252 or [email protected] or visit www.burger21franchise.com.

About Burger 21
With seven locations open in Tampa Bay, Fla., Orlando, Fla., and Voorhees, N.J., and 18 in development in seven states, Burger 21 is a "beyond the better burger" fast-casual franchise concept founded in 2010. Burger 21 is a chef-inspired brand with offerings including 21 unique burger and slider creations ranging from hand-crafted, freshly ground Certified Angus Beef^® to chicken, turkey, vegetarian, shrimp and tuna burgers, made-to-order salads, all-beef hot dogs, hand-breaded chicken tenders and an extensive shake bar including hand-dipped shakes, floats and sundaes. Burger 21 is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit http://www.burger21.com.

About Front Burner Brands
Front Burner Brands (formerly known as TGS Restaurant Management) is a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. It is affiliated with the corporate owners of and its management services extended to The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., founded in 1975 with more than 135 locations in North America and more than 25 locations currently in development, Burger 21 with seven locations open in Tampa Bay, Fla., Orlando, Fla., and Voorhees, N.J., and 18 in development in seven states, GrillSmith with six locations in the Tampa Bay area and other new franchise concepts in development. For more information, visit http://www.frontburnerbrands.com.

CONTACT:
Elayne Sommers
Fish Consulting
(954) 893-9150
[email protected]

SOURCE Burger 21

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