Amid strategic review of portfolio, Wahlburgers plots growth in 2027

Wahlburgers has been shrinking in its home market of Massachusetts, with two restaurants closed there in recent weeks amid a strategic review of the portfolio. Among them were the original location opened by actor Mark Wahlberg and his brothers in Hingham, and another in Fenway last week.

Growth plans

But CEO Randy Sharpe said the brand will be growing next year as Wahlburgers continues an evolution that is bringing the brand into new and higher-volume sites.

Sharpe said the closures in Massachusetts were the result of leases ending and landlords asking “catastrophically high” rents for renewals.

A unit in St. Charles, Illinois also closed in June. Units in Australia reportedly closed in July.

“We’re walking away from things that don’t make sense,” said Sharpe.

Currently there are 42 Wahlburgers, of which six are company owned. In early 2025, 79 locations that were in Hy-Vee grocery stores were shuttered after that partnership ended.

The chain still operates a restaurant in Springfield, Massachusetts, as well as two at Boston’s Logan International Airport. The company is also looking for another new location in Boston, he said.

Partnership expansion

Wahlburgers, however, is expanding with Bass Pro Shops. The brand has taken over food-and-beverage operations at Big Cypress Lodge, a hotel and retail flagship of Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee.

That’s home to Wahlburgers Wild, an exclusive version of the brand with a menu enhanced with items like Gator Bites and Bison Burgers. The brand also operates the fine-dining restaurant at the top of the Pyramid called The Lookout, among other outlets there.

Wahlburgers is also scheduled to come to Bass Pro Shop outlets in Irvine, California, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and possibly Sayreville, N.J., Sharpe said.

In addition, Wahlburgers trailers are operating in five Home Depot parking lots in a licensing partnership with Adaptiv Provisions, with more to come, said Sharpe.

The brand has also signed a franchising deal that will bring five locations to Puerto Rico, he said.

The chain has also signed with Bally’s to open an outlet in the new Athletics stadium under construction in Las Vegas, which is expected to open next year.

And a Wahlburgers is also coming to The Orleans Hotel & Casino, in a partnership with Boyd Gaming. The Orleans is just off the Strip in Las Vegas, but Sharpe noted that Boyd operates casinos across the country, which could open up more opportunities for the brand.

“We do so well in airports and casinos,” he said. “That’s our wheelhouse.”

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Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts.