BurgerFi creator plans to take concept national with franchisees

South Florida restaurateur Dave Manero is making good on this promise to “BurgerFi” America.Seven months after opening his first BurgerFi
in Lauderdale-by-the Sea and a second shortly thereafter in Delray Beach Manero has signed on several franchisees and is taking his concept national, with restaurants planned for the Carolinas, Texas, NewYork City and Connecticut. In South Florida, Nick Falcone and his brother, Dan Falcone, recently signed a deal to open seven ofthe fast-casual restaurants in Miami-Dade County’in the next five- years. They also have a location across from the Galleria in Fort Lauderdale, which they hope to open in February. They are negotiating their first lease in Miami-Dade in Pinecrest, and hope to havethat open by the middle of next year.
Broker Tom Prakas of The Prakas Group signed that deal and is working with other BurgerFi franchisees in Florida to open restaurants, including one at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. However, that one was stalled as a result of the mixed-use development’s foreclosure.
The Falcone brothers know the burger business. Their father and uncle had more than a dozen McDonald’s restaurants in New York, and later came to South Florida where they became Wendy’s franchisees. BurgerFi, one of several concepts cashing in on the gourmet burger craze, uses organic,”free-range beef from grass-fed cattle. All-natural hot dogs and fresh-cut fries are also on the menu. BurgerFi has plenty of competition in the gourmet burger sector, including Five Guys, Elevation Burger, Smashburger and Shula Burger. But that doesn’t worry the Falcones, who see strength in numbers. “A lot of other concepts are one-offs. BurgerFi talked about creating a footprint in the market,” Nick Falcone said. “They are really ramping up and trying to have a big presence in the market. They are doing everything to make sure this is a sustainable concept.”