Burger 21®, a new better burger franchise founded by the owners of The Melting Pot® Restaurants, Inc., announced it has expanded the brand to Georgia with the opening of its first Metro Atlanta restaurant in the Mall of Georgia area. Currently, Burger 21 has eight restaurants open and 17 franchised locations in development along the East Coast.
Located at 3385 Woodward Crossing Blvd., Suite 350, in Buford, the new restaurant is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Corley and Meg Steward, who plan to open a second location in the North Alpharetta area in 2014. Burger 21 envisions the Atlanta market as potentially supporting approximately 15 to 20 locations developed through franchise opportunities.
“We’re excited to expand Burger 21 to the Metro Atlanta area and introduce the North Gwinnett community to our diverse menu of crafted burgers and hand-dipped shakes,” said Mark Johnston, Burger 21 president and chief concept officer of Front Burner Brands, management company for Burger 21. “We see Atlanta as a key market for expansion and are targeting communities around the region such as the Cumberland Mall area in Cobb County and the Perimeter Mall area in DeKalb County for expansion opportunities over the next few years.”
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Highlights of Burger 21 in Buford include:
- 50 new team members hired in Buford
- 2,990 square feet inside plus a patio
- Seating for 120 customers
- Hours of operation are: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
In addition to offering guests a variety of burgers like the Tex-Mex Haystack, Spicy Thai Shrimp, Black Bean and Chicken Marsala, the Buford location will have craft beer and wine by the glass, as well as a beautiful and inviting patio for guests.
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“We are extremely excited to open Burger 21 in Buford in the Mall of Georgia area,” said franchisee Corley Steward. “From our chef-inspired menu and old time hand-dipped shakes to our gluten-free menu and pet-friendly patio, everything about us is unique and exciting. Our fast casual environment gives our customers the quality of a true gourmet burger experience with the flexibility of fast, customer-focused service.”
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.