Five Guys Burgers and Fries Coming Soon to Burke

BURKE, VA — Prepare to hear the crunching of peanut shells early this spring when walking toward the counter to order a burger or fries or both. That's because the seemingly ubiquitous Five Guys Burgers and Fries is planning to open an outlet in March at 5765 Burke Centre Parkway.

It's devilishly delightful to see the horrified looks on diners' faces at, say, Virginia Beach, when you eat the provided peanuts at Five Guys while waiting in line and then toss the shells to the floor again and again.

That's standard practice in the D.C. area, where locals defined the norms for Five Guys etiquette.

Now count Burke among the knowing Five Guys-goers.

The popular Lorton-based burgers and fries chain, with more than 1,350 locations across the country and in Canada, the Middle East and Europe, got its start in 1986 in Northern Virginia. The iconic burger joint serves up burgers, hot dogs, french fries and milkshakes. See the menu here.

Five Guys has been an area favorite since 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell offered advice to the four young Murrell brothers: "Start a business or go to college." The business route won and the Murrell family opened a carry-out burger joint in Arlington.

Under the guidance of Jerry and Janie, the Murrell family served only hand-formed burgers cooked to perfection on a grill along with fresh-cut fries cooked in pure peanut oil. The little burger joint quickly developed a cult-like following. Customers voted the burger"#1" in the metro area.

During the 1980s and 1990s the Murrell family perfected their simple system. Five Guys was The Place to get a fresh, juicy burger with all the toppings you could stuff between fresh-baked buns. A fifth brother was born and, as their family grew, so did their business. Four more restaurants with sit-down seating were added to accommodate the growing clientele.

Early in 2003 Jerry and Janie, together with the five"guys" began offering franchise opportunities. In under 18 months, Five Guys Enterprises sold options for over 300 units. The company's franchising made national news with articles in trade publications such as Nation's Restaurant News, Restaurant Business Magazine, and the Franchise Times.

Image via Five Guys