In The News

Mid-America Real Estate Corp. Assists Chicagoland Expansion of Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Eastern US Chain to Expand in Chicagoland by 10 Locations in 2009

OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL – There is consolation knowing that an East Coast icon for American burgers and fries is still expanding to meet demand regardless of today’s economic conditions. “Everyone still wants a great burger and fries,” says Steve Frishman, principal of Mid-America Real Estate Corp., the Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois-based firm that represents Five Guys Burgers and Fries during its Chicagoland expansion. He says that in 2009, about 10 new Five Guys locations are expected to open in this market.

“They are very high quality, with a focused menu,” he says, “reminiscent of an old fashioned burger you’d make at home. It’s definitely something that Chicagoans will take to.” Indeed, in their first month of operation, Five Guys’ first location, which opened in Oak Park in November 2008, and its most recent location in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago have been very well received.

Of the 10 locations planned in 2009, leases have already closed on two: one in the southwest suburb of Naperville that is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2009, and one in the northwest suburb of Schaumburg, scheduled to open in late summer 2009. “Five Guys has large plans to penetrate throughout the City of Chicago and the premiere suburbs in 2009,” Mr. Frishman says. “They typically look for 2,500 square foot, prominent end-cap locations. And because this is such a strong trade area, all of the stores initially planned here will be corporate owned, rather than franchises.”

Five Guys Director of PR & Marketing Molly Catalano confirms the plans. She adds that in other large metro areas, such as in the Five Guys home base of Washington DC, there is a mix of both corporate and franchise stores. “Our franchises do a great job and we are happy to partner with them in the expansion of our brand in new markets,” she says.

About Five Guys Burgers and Fries The menu drawing the crowds (often in lines out the door) includes burgers with 15 free possible toppings, fresh-cut fries cooked in peanut oil, Hebrew National hotdogs, veggie and grilled cheese sandwiches, with free unshelled peanuts for waiting customers.

The family owned Five Guys restaurant group has served award winning burgers and fries for over 20 years. There are now over 350 restaurants in 30 states and over 1500 units in development across the country. This two-decade pursuit of perfection has resulted in critical acclaim from the media. The Philadelphia Magazine, Charlotte Creative Loafing, Richmond Magazine, The Washington Post and many others voted Five Guys as the #1 burger in their respective towns. In addition ZAGAT Survey said "there are no better" burgers and has included Five Guys in their annual ratings for the past eight years. For more Five Guys information, please visit www.fiveguys.com.

Mid-America Real Estate Corporation is a member of Mid-America Real Estate Group, a ChainLinks affiliate. Mid-America Real Estate Group is a full-service retail real estate organization that has become the Midwest’s leader in retail investment sales. For more information, call (630) 954-7300 or visit www.midamericagrp.com.

WEB LINKS
www.midamericagrp.com
www.fiveguys.com

PRESS CONTACTS representing Mid-America Real Estate Corporation

Jonelle Kearney jonelle@dodier.com OR Kasia Yuska kyuska@dodier.com
DODIER & COMPANY
(800) 970-7392 or (520) 299-1000

ChainLinks Media Contact:
Marie Robinson - 800.394.3701 ext. 8970