Fabian Rosario and his business partner John Harris have entered into an agreement to open three Elevation Burger restaurants throughout New York City. Their first location will open this December on West 14th Street.
Overall, Elevation Burger plans to open 20 locations in the New York City metropolitan area in coming years.
"New Yorkers are always looking to eat healthier, but it's easier said than done. Elevation Burger offers an organic, better-for-you burger at a reasonable price." Rosario said. "Not to mention, the veggie burgers are phenomenal — the best I've ever had."
Rosario was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. and was a former Verizon technician for 14 years. He has an electrical engineering degree from the New York Institute of Technology. He and Harris met while working for Verizon, and the two also have plans to open an IHOP in upstate New York in the first quarter of 2011.
The idea for Elevation Burger was conceived by Hans Hess in 2002. He opened the first Elevation Burger in northern Virginia in September 2005. Hess and his wife, April, created Elevation Franchise Ventures LLC in 2008, which began franchising Elevation Burger restaurants.
The 10-unit chain has franchise commitments to open more than 60 locations in existing markets as well as Dallas, metropolitan New York and metropolitan Washington, D.C. Projections call for a total of 15 to 20 restaurants operating by the end of 2011 with the goal of 100 nationwide within the next few years.
