Burger joint beefs up in Tar Heel state

TAMPA — Burger 21, a fast-casual burger franchise based in Tampa, is opening a third location in North Carolina.

Local residents and existing Burger 21 franchisees Mitch Neal and Keith Smith plan to open the North Ridge restaurant in spring 2016, according to a statement. The entrepreneurs opened their first Burger 21 restaurant in Cary, N.C. in June, the statement adds. The chain has 19 open restaurants and more than 20 locations in development nationwide.

“Over the last four years, we've been successful in identifying and establishing our brand's presence in new markets, and our track record suggests a very promising future for the brand's development,” Burger 21 founder and President Mark Johnston says in the statement.

Burger 21 was founded in 2010 in Tampa. The chain has been recognized as one of Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers for each of the past three years.