TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Burger 21^®, a new fast casual concept founded by the owners of The Melting Pot^® Restaurants, Inc., announced today that it signed franchise agreements with six different entities in six states in 2012 to develop a total of 11 restaurants as part of its aggressive growth strategy to bring its crafted burgers and hand-dipped shakes to more cities across the country.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120920/NY78263LOGO )

Most recently, the Tampa, Fla.-based "beyond the better burger" concept opened its first franchised restaurant in Orlando. The brand also signed franchise agreements to develop four restaurants in Washington, D.C. over the next few years, in addition to franchise agreements in Atlanta, Voorhees, N.J., and Charlotte, N.C. A second Orlando location is scheduled to open near the University of Central Florida in late February.

"Since initially announcing our expansion plans, Burger 21 has had a strong year of franchise development," said Mark Johnston, Burger 21 president and chief concept officer and president of Front Burner Brands, management company for Burger 21. "Our franchisees recognize the strength of our growing brand, knowing that their investment is supported by a management team with more than 25 years of franchise experience. Their confidence and passion for Burger 21 is what continues to drive the success of our development."

In addition to expanding the company's footprint in its existing growth markets, the brand plans to target additional areas including South Florida, Dallas and New York for future development in 2013.

To further fuel its expansion, Burger 21 is actively seeking qualified franchisees and will host a live webinar on Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. EST. To register for the webinar or learn more about franchising opportunities with Burger 21, please visit www.burger21franchise.com/events.aspx or contact Ashley Pollard, franchise sales associate for Burger 21, at 813-425-6252 or apollard@burger21.com.

Additionally, Burger 21 will be exhibiting at Franchise Expo South Jan. 11-13 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Local entrepreneurs are invited to meet with the brand's franchise development team at booth No. 226 to learn more about growth opportunities.

Burger 21 is seeking single and multi-unit operators with restaurant experience along the East Coast and throughout the country to join its upscale fast casual dining concept.  Franchisee candidates should have a minimum net worth of $500,000 and liquid assets of at least $200,000 per unit. Burger 21 will be developed through both single-unit agreements and Area Development Agreements.

Depending on the real estate site selected, franchisees can expect the total cost of investment for one restaurant to be approximately $597,995 - $831,995.  The initial franchise fee is $40,000; however, reduced franchise fees apply for Area Development Agreements of four or more units. 

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Burger 21, contact Dan Stone, vice president of franchise development for Front Burner Brands, at 813-425-6208 and dstone@burger21.com or visit http://www.burger21franchise.com.

About Burger 21
With five locations open in Tampa Bay and Orlando, Fla., and 10 in development in Orlando, Atlanta, Voorhees, N.J., Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C., Burger 21 is a "beyond the better burger" fast-casual franchise concept founded in 2010. Burger 21 is a chef-inspired brand with offerings including 21 unique burger and slider creations ranging from hand-crafted, freshly ground beef to chicken, turkey, shrimp and tuna burgers, made-to-order salads, Hebrew National all-beef hot dogs, hand-breaded chicken tenders and an extensive shake bar including hand-dipped shakes, floats and sundaes. Burger 21 is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit http://www.burger21.com.

About Front Burner Brands
Front Burner Brands (formerly known as TGS Restaurant Management) is a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. It is affiliated with the corporate owners of and its management services extended to The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., founded in 1975 with more than 140 locations in North America and more than 25 locations currently in development, Burger 21 with five locations open in Tampa Bay and Orlando, Fla., and 10 in development in Orlando, Atlanta, Voorhees, N.J., Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C., GrillSmith with six locations in the Tampa Bay area and other new franchise concepts in development. For more information, visit http://www.frontburnerbrands.com.

SOURCE Burger 21