Kert Gennings, former chief operating officer for Jersey Mikes and Chesapeake Bagel Bakery, along with investor Sharon Heaton, have purchased the master franchise rights for Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries for Washington, D.C., Virginia and North Carolina and plan to open more than 50 restaurants in the next five to seven years.
The team plans to compete directly with Arlington, Va.-based fast casual Five Guys Burgers & Fries.
"It's a perfect time to be a tenant looking for locations here in the D.C. area," Gennings said. "We are finding dozens of available A-plus locations, and the rents and landlord deals are much, much better nowadays. We are also getting opportunities to convert existing restaurant spaces which mean those restaurants can be built for a fraction of a typical new restaurant."
