New Burger Place First on West Coast
In today's Breeze.
Carson gets a West Coast first
By Muhammed El-Hasan, Staff WriterAmid the crackle of french fries cooking and the clanking of kitchen utensils, an employee shouts, "Two in the door," as a woman and her young son step inside for lunch.
Soon two becomes dozens as the small eatery fills with hungry customers.
The only Five Guys Burgers and Fries restaurant west of Missouri opened three weeks ago at Carson's Southbay Pavilion mall.
"Probably 15 to 20 percent of our customers in the first two weeks know about us and sought us out because of their experience on the East Coast," said Phil Ratner, who co-owns the casual Carson restaurant.
Burger fans also will be able to eat at Five Guys sites in other parts of Southern California as Ratner and partner Bob Zanolli - two longtime restaurateurs - pursue their goal to open 30franchise locations in the next five years in southern Los Angeles County and northern Orange County.
The pair are planning their second location for Cerritos and are looking at other possible sites including in the South Bay, Zanolli said.
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