Burger chain chomps into South Jersey

TAMPA — Burger 21, a franchise developed by the owners of The Melting Pot that's been growing quickly in Florida, will expand to southern New Jersey.

The first location of what could be a dozen, according to a release, will be in Voorhees, N.J., a Philadelphia suburb. Melting Pot franchisee Charlie Haney will open the location, the company says. Haney, who became a Melting Pot franchisee in Atlantic City in 2006 and was named Melting Pot Franchisee of the Year in 2010, launched the Burger 21 location with business partners Curt Wunder and Mike Astuto.

President of ABL Restaurant Management, Haney says he aims to open 11 more locations throughout southern New Jersey. “I was blown away by the quality of the food when I visited the first Burger 21 in Tampa and could hardly wait for Front Burner Brands to start franchising the concept,” Haney says in the statement. “Opening Burger 21 in Voorhees fills the need for gourmet burgers that most people can't find without going to high-end restaurants with big price tags.”