Burger 21 expanding to the Windy City

TAMPA — Burger 21 signed two new franchise agreements for its first restaurants in Chicago area, marking the brand's entry into Illinois, and Dallas.

Ed Karayanes and Art Chmiel, who operated several McDonald's restaurants for years, have agreed to bring Burger 21 to the Windy City. The partners plan to develop the first Illinois restaurant in the Rosemont area of Chicago. The new location is scheduled to open by fall 2015.

Chmiel says the duo was attracted to the franchise by its strong unit economics, the quality of the menu items and the restaurant experience. The partners, he says, eventually hope to expand the brand's footprint in the greater Chicago area.