Americans will soon get to taste one of B.C.’s fastest growing restaurant chains.
Vera’s Burger Shack has grown from a single restaurant in 2001 to 16 locations today.
It will open its first U.S. locations in Portland this fall. Co-owner Gerald Tritt told Business in Vancouver July 5 that he expects between 15 and 18 locations in the U.S. Pacific Northwest to open in the next three years.
Tritt and partner Noah Cantor both won BIV’s Top 40 under 40 award in 2005.
The duo grew their chain to five corporately owned stores before selling a few of the locations to franchisees. Thirteen of their 16 restaurants are now franchised.
“We’re still working on the business,” Tritt said. “I don’t think I’ll ever say we’re a successful franchisor. It’s always a work in progress.”
All but one of Vera’s locations is based in B.C. It’s in Ottawa and is operated by some of Cantor’s relatives.
The stores have gained popularity for being licensed and having fresh large burgers for a reasonable price. They have also fuelled growth by being involved in group buying sites like Groupon.
Buying into a Vera’s costs $30,000 as a one-time fee. Ongoing royalties are 6% plus a 1.5% marketing fee and an expectation of 1% being spent on local advertising, Tritt said.
Several current franchisees operate one location each. Several others own two or more restaurants.
Glen Korstrom
Twitter: GlenKorstrom