April 23. A hip new burger concept—with it’s own special ketchup and truffle fries—is going into the old Derado’s space next to Jack’s Corner Tap in Magnolia Plaza. NASCAR superstar Denny Hamlin, who lives a couple of miles away in a lakefront mansion, is partnering up in the pocket-size eatery with Chanticleer Holdings, a Charlotte-based restaurant company with $41 million in revenue last year.
The 1,500-square-foot Little Big Burger store is expected to open in about 90 days, says Mike Pruitt, Chanticleer CEO. Chanticleer owns, operates and franchises fast, casual and full-service restaurant brands, with 55 locations of American Burger Company, BGR – Burgers Grilled Right, Little Big Burger, Just Fresh, and Hooters. The agreement with Hamlin also includes an option for an additional nine potential future locations.
Founded in Portland, Ore., in 2010, LBB is a counter service, fast-casual restaurant concept offering fresh, high quality cooked-to-order burgers, truffle fries and root beer floats. LBB has developed a cult-like following in the Pacific Northwest by offering a simple menu focused on delicious quality, served in a hip atmosphere. LBB now has 14 locations—11 in Oregon, one in Charlotte and two in Southern California. The ompany expects new locations to open soon in Portland, San Diego, Seattle and Austin.
DENNY HAMLIN
Pruitt says the eateries function in around 1,500 square feet of space. He says the burger business is sizzling.
“It is Americana,” Pruitt says, explaining that 29 percent of every dollar spent eating out is a burger. The Little Big Burger’s truffle fries, made with truffle oil, and “Camden” ketchup are trademarks.
Hamlin himself is a bona fide NASCAR superstar. The 2006 Cup Series Rookie of the Year became the first rookie to ever qualify for the NASCAR playoffs and has qualified for the playoffs in 11 of his 12 full seasons racing in NASCAR’s elite level. Hamlin’s 31 Cup Series victories place him 25th on NASCAR’s all-time win list, which includes a win in the 2016 Daytona 500.
Hamlin, who currently sits sixth in the 2018 championship point standings, built a 30,000-square-foot mansion on Mollypop Lane at the end of the Jetton Road/John Connor peninsula.
“I’m looking forward to opening my first Little Big Burger right down the street from where I live,” said Hamlin.
Pruitt, who said he is excited to partner up with Hamlin, explained that the Little Big Burger concept is all about offering fresh, high-quality, cooked-to-order burgers operating out of a small leasehold footprint and leveraging a walk-up counter. The new Little Big Burger, just to the right of Jack’s Corner Tap in Magnolia Plaza, is clearly visible from West Catawba Avenue as well as traffic leaving The Peninsula.
