Burger 21 Plans to Head West; Seeks Franchisees in Dallas, Texas

TAMPA, Fla., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Burger 21^®, a new better burger franchise founded by the owners of The Melting Pot^® Restaurants, Inc., announced today it plans to expand westward with Dallas targeted for future franchise development. As part of its aggressive growth strategy, the Tampa-based concept plans to develop approximately 20 or more restaurants in the market. To date, Burger 21 has six restaurants open in Florida and 18 franchised locations in development along the East Coast.

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"Burger 21 is about providing guests with premium ingredients, innovative recipes and a gourmet experience without the gourmet price," said Mark Johnston, Burger 21 president and chief concept officer and president of Front Burner Brands, management company for Burger 21. "We've seen a strong interest in our brand in Dallas, as well as surrounding cities, and we're now looking for dedicated franchisees to help us bring Burger 21's crafted burgers and hand-dipped shakes to Texas."

To further fuel Burger 21's national expansion, the company is actively seeking qualified franchisees and will be exhibiting at The National Franchise and Business Opportunities Expo May 18-19 at the Dallas Market Hall. Local entrepreneurs are invited to meet with the brand's franchise development team at Booth #208 to learn more about growth opportunities.

Additionally, Burger 21 will host a live webinar on May 2 at 2 p.m. EDT to drive national expansion. To register, or to learn more about franchising opportunities with Burger 21, please visit www.burger21franchise.com/events.aspx or contact Ashley Pollard, franchise development associate for Burger 21, at 813-425-6252 or [email protected].

Since launching its aggressive growth plan in Fall 2011, Burger 21 has signed franchise agreements with 10 different entities in seven states to develop a total of 20 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 $597,995 - $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 associate for Burger 21, at 813-425-6252 or [email protected] or visit http://www.burger21franchise.com.

About Burger 21
With six locations open in Tampa Bay and Orlando, Fla., 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, 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 six locations open in Tampa Bay and Orlando, Fla., 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