Five Guys to Replace Bertucci's in Old Town Alexandria

PHOTO of Bertucci's courtesy of PMA Properties

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Five Guys, the popular burger and fries joint that got its start in 1986, will replace Bertucci's restaurant on King Street, according to planning documents filed with the City.

Five Guys is eyeing a November opening, a spokeswoman at the company's headquarters said Tuesday morning.

Bertucci's is located at 725 King St., is part of a chain that started in 1981 in Massachusetts. Known for its brick oven cooking, Bertucci’s operates 88 locations in 10 states and the District of Columbia. No word on a date for the closing of the King Street Bertucci's restaurant. 

Five Guys plans to have 83 seats inside and seating for 12 outside on the N. Columbus side of the restaurant. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Five Guys has been a Washington, DC 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.

More than 20 years after Five Guys first opened, there are more than 1,000 locations nationwide and more than 1,500 units in development.