Burger 21, a new fast-casual burger company, plans to open a franchised location in Charlotte next year, as the restaurant expands into North Carolina.
The burger company is owned by Tampa Bay-based Front Burner Brands, the same company that franchises The Melting Pot Restaurants. Dan Stone, vice president of franchise development of Front Burner Brands, said the restaurant differs from competitors like Five Guys Burgers & Fries by offering less customization and more "chef-inspired" burgers.
"We are very popular with females and kids because of the non-beef varieties," said Stone. He said 40 percent of their burgers served are currently non-beef, and 69 percent of their revenue comes from non-beef items, including salads.
There are currently four Burger 21 locations in Tampa and six more under development in Florida, Georgia and New Jersey.
In Charlotte, Burger 21 will be joining other competitors in the so-called "better burger" segment of the market, including Five Guys and Smashburger. That's part of the reason Burger 21 hopes to expand so quickly, adding 20 to 30 new locations next year.
"We want to be in the retail hubs where we'll find a Chipotle or a Panera," said Stone. "Some landlords, once they get a Five Guys or someone like that, they don't want another burger concept. "We don't want to lose our position in markets."
If you're interested in becoming a franchisee, you can check out Burger 21's franchising site here.
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19 comments:
Why is this considered news? What happened to reporting news instead of being shills for food that is bad for us?
Hello. This is a blog about store openings and closings, and which new stores are coming to Charlotte. Thank you for reading.
Oh yea,great new concept open another burger joint. Like there aren't enough here already. These future owners should save their money.
This must be one of the fattest cities in America. All the CEOS continue to not think the Fat burger chain is saturated here. Pathetic !!! I hope it fails
What a great concept. Many times I go with my husband to a burger joint and places like Five Guys and others dont have a healthier option. Cool!
Unlike the other folks posting here, I actually took 60 seconds and read the article. I think it's a great concept (half the menu non-beef).
So... they haven't announced where they're going to put the first Charlotte location?
Steve @ 7:17am:
Curious, what were you expecting when you read title of the article and came to a column entitled "What's IN Store - Surveying the Retail Landscape in Charlotte and Beyond"??
Do you understand that media outlets (papers, tv, websites, magazines, etc.) have relied on press releases (aka self-reporting) for hundreds of years?
Ely, if they "plan" to open here, one would assume they have a location locked down. So where is it?
If there is no location under contract, then the story is a meaningless "maybe this could possibly happen." Which is it?
I'm not a big fan of Five Fries Burger Guys. That's what I call them, since you get a fairly small burger and enough fries to feed the entire city of Concord for a week. I prefer American Roadside - bigger burgers, several good side item choices. I hope Burger 21 is centrally located, so I can check them out. Good to hear they have other options, so I can bring the wife, who doesn't eat meat.
Steve - did you read the entire post? This place has several non-beef sandwiches, plus salads. If you don't want a hamburger, you can order something healthier.
I wonder how the people at South 21 feel about this.
Hi Anonymous 9:04 - You are correct, they have not announced the location yet. They're looking at different spots, and hope to have something locked down by the end of December.
Ely - thanks for your hard work. I love knowing what's coming in Charlotte.
Thanks Ely. Since there is no contract and simply an adlleged plan, then this is no different that the infamous DeDe Harris "plan" to bring Saks and the Ritz to Quail Corners.
We all know how that worked out.
Ely,
There is a Mexican restaurant chain out of Austin Tx. approx. 35 locations in a big expansion mode to the east coast. Should be in the Carolinas soon. Many say it is some of the best tex/mex they have ever had...very fresh ingredients etc. Their stock is being closely monitored on Investors Bus. Daily as it has been a good investment. The site is: http://www.chuys.com/
See if you can get some info. on the likelihood off this co. coming to the Carolinas. Many Thanks!
I'll give a shout out to another burger place that has opened in the area, Char-Grill. N.C. State grads and Raleigh transplants are very familiar with the old red and white cinder block builing on Hillsborough St. I lived in an upstairs apartment with a few other guys on Jones St. only a couple blocks from the restuarant. We scarfed many a hamburger steak sandwich over the years.
Anyway, in the late 80's and 90's they opened a couple more stores around Raliegh, and are now opening up to franchisees. The most recent location just opened in Davidson. So if anyone out there is nostalgic for a Char Grill burger, swing on by off Exit 30.
@12:28
OMG what will the city do if Ely is wrong. and they never come here. How dare he print the news as he gets it. If this burger joint doesn't come to Charlotte the conomy will crash and all because Ely got mentioned a press release about a burger joint. Just look at what happened when Saks didn't come to Quail Corners... Nothing. Oh nevermind
OMG another burger joint selling food of death. I mean look how deadly black bean burgers are. And the observer supports this carnage in Charlotte? I hope it fails.
Now I am goig to go scream about the unemployment rate in Charlotte on another article. What we really need is jobs. I hope this business fails
(end cynicism)
I love reading Ely's blog. If someone is so interested in reading what they consider "real news," why would they click on this article pertaining to what's in store for Charlotte and surrounding areas just to squawk about the content. Keep up the good work Ely; there are plenty of us who enjoy your articles.
@anon 3:20
How wrong you are. DeDe Harris had no one under contract for her brilliant plan at Quail Corners. She then proceeded to do $1.3 million in grading work, destroying all the trees and built a giant hole/eyesore that has now been there for some seven years or so.
I can't agree that when nothing came that nothing happened. DeDe's Hole at Seven Eagles is proof.
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