With an investment in excess of $ 1 million, the BurgerFi burger restaurant chain opened its second location in Puerto Rico in Plaza Caparra, Guaynabo, and plans to continue expanding on the island with the opening of others. restaurants outside the metropolitan area throughout 2021, reaching six locations in the next two years.
BurgerFi arrived in Puerto Rico last year from businessman Phillip Faigenblat, who also owns the local franchise of Denny’s Restaurants. The businessman, who has 30 years of experience in the local food industry, assured the spokesman which are in negotiations to establish other stores outside the metropolitan area this year. The projection it maintains is to open 06:00 BurgerFi in the next two years.
“We have some visualized spaces outside the metropolitan area that we plan to open this year and others that are still under development and could open in 2022. My commitment is to continue to contribute to the local economy with both jobs. direct as well as indirect helping other Puerto Rican industries and businesses “, pointed out Faigenblat.
In March 2020, the first restaurant was inaugurated – also in Guaynabo – and, although the opening coincided with the pandemic, the employer assured the spokesman that the reception of Puerto Ricans to the new offer exceeded their expectations.
“Our first BurgerFi opened in Guaynabo exactly one year ago and even with the pandemic challenge, we have had an excellent reception and are the favorite of customers in the area. We have become one of the top ten restaurants in the chain with the most sales in the whole country. We are now very excited to be able to open the second restaurant, “said Faigenblat at a time when he admits to having generated 100 jobs between the two restaurants.
BurgerFi’s second location is located in the building that housed Starbucks in Plaza Caparra. This has a space of 1,800 square feet which includes two large outdoor terraces and a full bar with capacity for 70 diners. The chain is distinguished by its concept of “fast casual” and its burgers made with certified Angus meat and Wagyu meat without hormones or antibiotics.
“We are the first in Puerto Rico to have a ‘fast casual’ concept with high quality, fresh and healthy food. Right now there are no competitors in this segment. We are the market leaders in ‘fast casual’ on the Island “We are investing over a million dollars in every store that is opening,” Faigenblat emphasized.
The chain also offers vegetarian and chicken options without hormones or condoms, Wagyu hot dogs, chips and onion rings prepared daily in the restaurant, as well as smoothies made with its traditional custard (a type of cream) and a wide variety of craft beers. and liquors.
“The concept has been very well received because the local public likes healthy food in an ideal environment to share with the family. The trend is ‘outdoor dining’ and our restaurants are ready for it. Puerto Rican stores are including this space, which is not being built in the United States, “said the owner.
For his part, the chief executive officer of BurgerFi, Julio Ramirez, has pointed to the spokesman that -at the moment- the chain is the fastest growing in the market and that Puerto Rico is a key piece in the process. Since December last year, BurgerFi became a public limited company (BFI) listed on the Nasdaq market, which has driven the development of the chain nationally and internationally.
“Our restaurants in Puerto Rico go beyond the image and overall concept of the company. Sales here are higher than other restaurants in the United States. Puerto Rico has the ability to become the leader of BurgerFi and we are hopeful with the future expansion of the chain to the Island. We know that the reception will be equal or better than the received so far “, pointed out Ramírez.
Faigenblat explained that the interior of the restaurants is eco-friendly, as it has several sustainable elements such as walls with wooden panels built of southern pine wood number 2 -the most renewable-, tables made with more than 700,000 jugs of milk recycled and industrial style chairs made with 111 recycled Coca Cola bottles.