Wahlburgers Expanding to Atlanta, Georgia

Wahlburgers is coming to Georgia.

The burger chain founded by actors Donnie and Mark Walhberg and chef Paul Wahlberg is planning to expand to metro Atlanta and Savannah, according to a statement from the company.

No timeline yet as to when the expansion will happen or the restaurants' exact locations.

Wahlburgers is also an Emmy-nominated reality TV series that has been renewed for at least two more seasons on A&E.

Wahlburgers announced franchise deals with five new franchise groups to open over 30 stores in several major metro markets not only in Georgia, but also Massachusetts, California, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina. Seven restaurants are currently open, with three more slated within the next few months in Boston's Logan Airport, Las Vegas and Philadelphia.

Since its 2011 debut in Hingham, Massachusetts, Wahlburgers has expanded steadily. To date, 12 area development deals, including two airports, are in place, committing franchise groups to a total of 118 Wahlburgers over the next several years.

"As we pick up the pace of our national expansion, we are pleased to be working with a group of experienced franchisees who have histories of running multiple units successfully," explained CEO Rick Vanzura. "We're glad that they are embracing the brand and thank them and the millions of Wahlburgers fans who are contributing to our early success."

According to Vanzura, a new Massachusetts development group, including Wahlberg family members, will open five to 10 additional restaurants in the state, including one in Dorchester, the brothers' hometown. Four restaurants are planned for the Carolinas in Charleston, Charlotte, and Myrtle Beach.

Six are slated to open in Cleveland and Detroit, where Wahlburgers will debut in Greektown this year. Eight are planned for the Northern California Bay area, and a 15-store agreement was signed for Los Angeles in January.