--- title: "Better Burger Franchise, BurgerFi, Selectively Targets D.C. Metro Area, as it Strategically Expands its 105-Plus Location Base" url: https://burnaze.com/article/e2474ad0-f9c6-4bc6-a8e1-7b0b7a309cab source: "1851 Franchise" original_url: https://1851franchise.com/better-burger-franchise-burgerfi-selectively-targets-dc-metro-area-as-it-strategically-expands-its-105-plus-location-base-2707033 category: "Burger" industry: "Restaurants" segment: "Burger" topics: ["Development & multi-unit"] published: 2018-07-13T15:10:21.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T02:35:54.571Z image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/5188f349dcf0a250ef455fa1ed567202377.jpg --- # Better Burger Franchise, BurgerFi, Selectively Targets D.C. Metro Area, as it Strategically Expands its 105-Plus Location Base **TL;DR:** BurgerFi, a fast-casual burger franchise, is expanding its 105-plus location base by targeting the D.C. Metro Area. The brand is looking to bring its unique concept to new consumers in the D.C. metro area and beyond, with a goal of opening 20+ new locations in 2018. *originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2018-07-13. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/better-burger-franchise-burgerfi-selectively-targets-dc-metro-area-as-it-strategically-expands-its-105-plus-location-base-2707033).* ## Story Conceived as a chef-driven, fast-casual, better burger concept, BurgerFi began in South Florida in 2011. At the time, the fast-casual market was shifting to accommodate a more health-conscious enlightened consumer. “Our aim is to change people’s perception of the better burger experience,” said Graham Buckley, Franchise Development Manager for BurgerFi. By carving out a niche in this previously untapped segment of the burger industry, the franchise has been able to grow in a big way throughout its first five years of franchising, achieving 105-plus locations at the end of 2017. That success is now allowing the brand to bring its franchise ownership opportunity to strategic growth initiatives, now including the D.C. metro area. Currently, BurgerFi holds a strong presence in the Southeast region and continues to see steady growth in the Northeast. Due to its rapid expansion in the eastern region of the country, the contemporary burger concept views the D.C. area as a natural next step in its franchise development initiatives. That natural next step is backed by franchisees in the region who are already seeing success, including Manuel Sanchez in Silver Spring and soon-to-be Bethesda, Maryland. Armed with his extensive business experience, Sanchez explored over 50 different financial investment opportunities before deciding he was most intrigued by the fast casual segment of the franchising industry. “The potential for growth was most alluring,” he said, when asked why he decided to stake his claim in BurgerFi’s franchise opportunity. “It has a unique combination of healthy ingredients, a feel-good atmosphere and tremendous devotion to customer satisfaction.” Since day one, BurgerFi’s corporate team has chosen to focus on the quality of its food. And now, as the franchise continues to grow, the brand remains dedicated to every restaurant location serving the top 1% of beef that is part of the “Never Ever” program, meaning beef that is never exposed to steroids, antibiotics, growth hormones, chemicals, or additives – ever. BurgerFi’s growth momentum continues with a goal of opening 20+ new locations in 2018. In addition to those openings, BurgerFi is focusing its development initiatives along the East Coast, including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and New York. “One of the reasons BurgerFi became so popular so quickly is because it is different from any other experience as far as its food level and atmosphere,” said Buckley. “We’re looking forward to bringing our unique concept to new consumers in the D.C. metro area and beyond.” BurgerFi is looking to expand throughout D.C. alongside franchisees who are able to bring restaurant experience to the table. The opportunity is designed with multi-brand operators in mind who are looking to grow their professional portfolio. BurgerFi franchisees gain access to a strong support system that’s committed to seeing its franchise partners succeed. Franchisees interested in joining BurgerFi’s growing system — both in D.C. and beyond — can expect their initial investment to range from $670,400 to $973,250. “We must be doing something right. We’ve had 25% percent growth in sales this year compared to last year,” boasts Sanchez. “The brand is expanding but the quality is staying consistent. I have had more and more people tell me about BurgerFi’s exceptional food quality and how it remains the same regardless of what location they – the guest — visits. That takes dedication at the corporate level, and as a franchisee I am thankful for that. They are doing a great job of developing the brand the right way.” ## Entities - 1851 Franchise (publication) - Restaurants (sector) - unit expansion (topic) - franchise development (topic) - fast casual (topic) - BurgerFi (company) - better burger (topic) - DC metro area (location) --- Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/better-burger-franchise-burgerfi-selectively-targets-dc-metro-area-as-it-strategically-expands-its-105-plus-location-base-2707033). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/e2474ad0-f9c6-4bc6-a8e1-7b0b7a309cab).