Burger 21 Named One of Fast Casual's Top 100 "Movers and Shakers"

TAMPA, Fla., June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Burger 21^®, a new better burger franchise founded by the owners of The Melting Pot^® Restaurants, Inc., has been named one of Fast Casual's Top 100 "Movers and Shakers" of 2013. The concept was ranked No. 22 based on its variety of innovative recipes and recent expansion.

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In addition, the franchise's latest gluten-free menu received the No. 1 ranking for the "Top 10 Menu Innovations." President and Chief Concept Officer of Burger 21 and President of Front Burner Brands Mark Johnston was also recognized as one of the "Top 20 People" for his strategic leadership in the growth and development of the brand. The listing offers a glimpse into the frontrunners of the fast casual industry and ranks them by criteria including innovation, growth and contribution to the industry.

"As a newer fast casual concept, we're honored to be recognized as an industry leader," said Mark Johnston, Burger 21 president and chief concept officer and president of Front Burner Brands, management company for Burger 21. "Burger 21's high rankings and accolades can be attributed to the company's accelerated growth and our commitment to providing guests with a comprehensive menu of original recipes that have made us stand out in the fast casual segment."

Since launching its aggressive growth plan in the fall of 2011, Burger 21 has signed franchise agreements with 11 different entities in eight states to develop a total of 21 franchised units in cities along the East Coast from New York to Florida.

Burger 21 is seeking single- and multi-unit operators with restaurant experience to join its upscale fast casual dining concept. Franchisee candidates should have a minimum net worth of $500,000 and liquid assets of at least $200,000 per unit. Burger 21 will be developed through both single-unit agreements and Area Development Agreements. Depending on the real estate site selected, franchisees can expect the total investment for one restaurant to be approximately $414,495 – $831,995. The initial franchise fee is $40,000; however, reduced franchise fees apply for Area Development Agreements of four or more units. 

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Burger 21, contact Ashley Pollard, franchise development manager for Burger 21, at 813-425-6252 or [email protected], or visit www.burger21franchise.com.

About Burger 21
With seven locations open in Tampa Bay, Fla., Orlando, Fla., and Voorhees, N.J., and 18 in development in seven states, Burger 21 is a "beyond the better burger" fast-casual franchise concept founded in 2010. Burger 21 is a chef-inspired brand with offerings including 21 unique burger and slider creations ranging from hand-crafted, freshly ground Certified Angus Beef^® to chicken, turkey, vegetarian, shrimp and tuna burgers, made-to-order salads, all-beef hot dogs, hand-breaded chicken tenders and an extensive shake bar including hand-dipped shakes, floats and sundaes. Burger 21 is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit http://www.burger21.com.

About Front Burner Brands
Front Burner Brands (formerly known as TGS Restaurant Management) is a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. It is affiliated with the corporate owners of and its management services extended to The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., founded in 1975 with more than 135 locations in North America and more than 25 locations currently in development, Burger 21 with seven locations open in Tampa Bay, Fla., Orlando, Fla., and Voorhees, N.J., and 18 in development in seven states, GrillSmith with six locations in the Tampa Bay area and other new franchise concepts in development. For more information, visit http://www.frontburnerbrands.com.

SOURCE Burger 21