Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries signed a master franchise agreement with seasoned multiunit restaurant developer Manu Patel. Patel will be developing 40-plus Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries restaurants in Delaware, New Jersey, and the Philadelphia Metro Area.
Fransmart, the company that helped launch Five Guys Burgers & Fries, the fastest-growing chain in America, is leading the franchise development plans for Boardwalk. Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries has restaurants open in Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, and Florida. While it continues aggressive expansion in these markets, it also has development plans in place for Delaware, New Jersey, and Michigan, with a total of 200 new restaurants in development nationwide.
“I’ve been in the multiunit restaurant business for 20 years, so I knew what I wanted in a new concept—excellent food with strong consumer appeal, solid operations and training, and most importantly a proven unit economic model,” says Patel, a veteran multiunit restaurant owner with both Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway. “I found all of this in Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and more. I’ve had the chance to operate with the No. 1 franchise brand in the world. I currently own six Subway restaurants and have an additional three in development. I’m thrilled to partner with Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries for my next growth venture; they are the here and now of fast food, better quality, better tasting burgers and fresh cut fries.”
Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries has expanded rapidly in the U.S., attracting several restaurant industry veterans including the former CEO of Caribou Coffee and former COO of Jersey Mike's. Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries also recently announced the appointment of Kert Gennings as chief operating officer. Gennings brings decades of restaurant experience to the concept, having previously served as president of RGI, a restaurant consulting company, and COO for leading brands in the industry including Chesapeake Bagel Bakery and Jersey Mikes Franchise Company.
