News

Burger 21 bellies up to the bar

May 31, 2016

Ocala, Florida, is now home to Burger 21's first freestanding restaurant with a full-service bar and outdoor patio, according to a company press release.

"We're thrilled to have unveiled our long-awaited first restaurant with a full-service bar and knew Ocala was a great market to launch the brand's specialty cocktails and shaketails," said Mark Johnston, Burger 21 founder and president. "The restaurant has already exceeded our expectations by breaking all previous grand opening day records with more than $15,000 in sales.

The 4,300-square foot restaurant features Burger 21's classic, contemporary design with several new upgrades, including the bar with specially brewed Destination Orange craft beer on tap, which is available exclusively at Burger 21's Ocala restaurant, Johnston said.

"We plan to incorporate the full service bar into future restaurant build-outs to provide an additional revenue stream for our franchisees," he said. "The full service bar also gives us an opportunity to showcase even more food and beverage trends, while further positioning the brand as an innovator in the 'better burger' industry."

The location also offers a menu of chef-inspired Shaketails and Twisted Spirits, including:

• Sunshine and Dreams: Destination Orange beer, Cointreau, orange juice and zest, Burger 21's vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream, orange zest and an orange slice.
• Crazy Cookie: Pinnacle Whipped vodka, Bailey's Irish Crème, Oreo cookie crumbles, Burger 21's vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream and Oreo cookie crumbles.
• Black & Bleu Martini: A combination of Tito's vodka and olive juice with a blackened seasoning rim, garnished with bleu cheese-stuffed olives.
• And The Sunshine State: Jim Bean bourbon combined with muddled strawberries, lemon juice, orange bitters and ginger beer.

In addition, the Ocala location is nearly twice the size of Burger 21's standard restaurants and offers seating for 160 customers with a total of 90 team members on staff. It also has several high-definition flat screen TVs throughout the restaurant and bar area, in addition to the brand's first to-go POS entrance for pick-up orders, according to the release.