Mark Wahlberg's burger chain is planning a massive expansion
Dec-16-2015

The gourmet-burger chain founded by the famous Wahlberg brothers is planning a rapid expansion.

The Boston-based chain, called Wahlburgers, is about to open its sixth location in Manhattan's Times Square.

Over the next five years, the company plans to add 100 to 150 more locations, Wahlburgers CEO Rick Vanzura told Business Insider in an interview.

Wahlburgers is competing with other better-burger chains such as Shake Shack, Five Guys, and Smashburger.

But it has a unique advantage over those chains, and not just because of its celebrity founders: Wahlburgers is the subject of an Emmy-nominated reality-TV show, which just got approved for two more 14-episode seasons on A&E.;

The show, which stars brothers Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg, has been paramount to the brand's success so far, Vanzura said.

"It has certainly been a huge promotional vehicle," he said. "We saw an immediate increase in sales with the show. And Mark and Donnie understand the importance of the show to the brand so they have done everything they can to promote the show."

Opening a restaurant might seem like an odd choice for Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, who are best known for their acting and singing. But the lesser-known Wahlberg brother - Paul - is a classically trained chef who has been in the restaurant industry for more than 30 years.

Wahlburgers currently has five locations in Boston; Toronto; and Coney Island, New York. The company has agreements for additional locations in Manhattan, Orlando, Philadelphia, Long Island, and Washington D.C. It also has an agreement for 20 locations in the Middle East, with plans to eventually have 300 locations overseas.

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