Wahlburgers, the better-burger restaurant founded by Chef Paul Wahlberg with celebrity brothers Mark and Donnie, announced franchise deals with five new franchise groups to open over 30 stores in several major metro markets in Massachusetts, California, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Seven restaurants are currently open, with three more slated within the next few months in Boston’s Logan Airport, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia.

Since its 2011 debut in Hingham, Massachusetts, Wahlburgers has expanded steadily. To date, 12 area development deals, including two airports, are in place, committing franchise groups to a total of 118 Wahlburgers over the next several years.

“We are on the road to bringing Wahlburgers to a city near you,” says Mark Wahlberg. “We’ve created this family business with a mission to welcome families and friends from around the world to a place where they can break bread, enjoy some great food and lots of laughs."

“As we pick up the pace of our national expansion, we are pleased to be working with a group of experienced franchisees who have histories of running multiple units successfully,” says CEO Rick Vanzura. “We’re glad that they are embracing the brand and thank them and the millions of Wahlburgers fans who are contributing to our early success.”

According to Vanzura, a new Massachusetts development group, including Wahlberg family members, will open five to 10 additional restaurants in the state, including one in Dorchester, the brothers’ hometown. Four restaurants are planned for the Carolinas in Charleston, Charlotte, and Myrtle Beach. The greater Atlanta metro area and Savannah will be home to six restaurants, and six are slated to open in Cleveland and Detroit, where Wahlburgers will make an exciting debut in Greektown this summer or fall. Eight are planned for the Northern California Bay area, and a 15-store agreement was signed for Los Angeles in January.