Tampa, Florida-based Burger 21 announced today it has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to develop three additional restaurants in the Atlanta area. As part of this deal, the three restaurants are targeted to open in the Buckhead, Cumberland Mall, and North Druid Hills areas.

“We are very excited about this opportunity. This allows our family to share our favorite burger experience with everyone in the Atlanta area,” says new Burger 21 franchisee Chris Bastecki. “This is the only gourmet burger concept where non-burger lovers can also experience a memorable meal through an array of incredible culinary options. It’s hard for me to get excited about chicken tenders, but your kids will be begging you to take them back to Burger 21 after they get a taste of ours.”

As a multi-unit Jimmy John’s franchisee with three years of experience, Bastecki decided to join Burger 21 after he and his family dined at the Buford location. He is targeting to open the first restaurant in Buckhead in 2015.

Burger 21 opened its first Atlanta-area restaurant in Buford near the Mall of Georgia last year and now has eight other franchised locations in development across Atlanta, making it Burger 21’s largest market for development to date.  In addition to this latest franchise agreement, Burger 21 has signed agreements with franchisees to develop locations in the Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Kennesaw and Perimeter Mall areas.

“We are extremely pleased with the overall success that Burger 21 has experienced in Atlanta,” says Dan Stone, vice president of franchise development of Front Burner Brands, management company for Burger 21. “Over the past year, we’ve built a strong customer following in the community and still see great potential for additional growth within the greater Atlanta area including Downtown and Midtown Atlanta.”