Tampa burger chain sizzles, heads south

FORT MYERS — Burger 21, the Tampa-based burger chain, says it plans to open its first restaurant in the Fort Myers-Naples area at Gulf Coast Town Center mall near Alico Road and Interstate 75 in December.

Franchisee Suleiman Hessami has plans to open another two Burger 21 locations in the Fort Myers-Naples region, the company says. The owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants founded the chain of fast-casual burger restaurants in 2010, which now has nine locations and another 18 under development in six states.

“The Burger 21 concept is experiencing tremendous growth and demand for our diverse menu featuring a unique variety of innovative recipes for beef and non-beef choices,” says Mark Johnston, Burger 21 president and chief concept officer and president of Front Burner Brands, restaurant management company for Burger 21, in a statement.

The restaurant serves 21 different burgers made from beef, turkey, shrimp and tuna. Salads, hot dogs and milkshakes also appear on the menu.