News

BurgerFi expanding Florida, Georgia footprint

January 21, 2019

BurgerFi is opening 25-30 restaurants this year starting with locations in Clearwater-St. Petersburg and Stuart, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, according to a company press release.

"We are thrilled that BurgerFi restaurants will be in these key regions as we continue our national expansion," said Charles Guzzetta, BurgerFi franchise development manager. "They join our mission to serve the top 1 percent of best-tasting certified, American Black Angus beef and improve guest experience across all platforms: in-store, delivery and online."

Restaurant industry veteran Nick Quarantillo will open three locations in Clearwater-St. Petersburg, Florida, reflecting the Tampa metro area's continued economic development. The timing and growth potential for BurgerFi was a key driver for his entry into the category. 

"Americans are looking for a fresh, better burger that has the same quality every time they come in," said Quarantillo. "Families especially are looking for an elevated dining room experience from the friendliness of the team to sustainability efforts."

Longtime friends and BurgerFi aficionados Greg Gatto and Scott Hodes of The Burger Bunch LLC are opening the first BurgerFi in Martin County, Florida. Gatto and Hodes have known each other nearly a decade and chose Stuart because the coastal community has a mix of residential and high traffic areas.

"We've spoken to residents who are known to drive nearly 45 minutes to go to the nearest BurgerFi," Hodes said. "We believe that many families share the diverse eating habits that our own have, and we love the BurgerFi concept because it's a place vegans, vegetarians and meat-lovers can all enjoy."

Dhruv Patel and his three partners in Saini LLC will expand the brand in Atlanta. They bring over a decade of experience in the operation of multiple gas stations, convenience stores, hotels and quick-serve restaurants. 

"I came upon BurgerFi next door to a business meeting I had in Tallahassee, and told my partners how much I loved the food," Patel paid. "We started speaking to the BurgerFi team who showed us operations in other locations, and my partners also fell in love with the product as has my entire family."

BurgerFi's adoption of technology is also attracting franchisees, according to the release. It continues to implement new technologies designed to offer an optimal customer experience such as the facial recognition kiosks, with increased convenience, personalization and platform integration.

BurgerFi first opened in 2011 Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. It now has more than 100 units.