New Burger & Pizza Restaurant To Open In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Hubspoke Brands has reached an agreement to open the first co-branded Wayback Burgers and Molte Pizze locations in Connecticut, in Bridgeport and Orange, according to the company.

Hubspoke, "a bold new franchising platform redefining multi-brand ownership in the fast casual restaurant space," will open the new restaurants at 3710 Main St. in Bridgeport and at the Hitchcock Plaza – 185 Boston Post Road in Orange, with both expected to open by late 2025.

"Bringing our first co-branded Wayback Burgers and Molte Pizze locations to Connecticut — our home state — is a particularly exciting milestone for Hubspoke Brands," said John Eucalitto, CEO of Hubspoke Brands, in a statement. "These lease signings highlight the continued strength of our multi-concept platform and the dedication of experienced franchisees who share our vision for growth. With four successful Wayback Burgers restaurants already under his belt, Bimal is perfectly positioned to introduce our co-branded experience to guests across the state. We’re excited to deepen our presence in Connecticut and look forward to welcoming the community to both restaurants in late 2025."

Added Bimal Thakkar, franchisee of the upcoming Wayback Burgers and Molte Pizze locations in Orange and Bridgeport, "I was truly impressed when I visited Hubspoke Kitchen in Wallingford and saw the innovative incubator concept bringing multiple brands together under one roof. Seeing Molte Pizze’s unique approach to pizza alongside the beloved Wayback Burgers convinced me this multi-concept model is a winning formula. Bridgeport will mark my fifth Wayback location, while Orange is being redeveloped within the shopping center to feature both brands. I’m excited to bring this fresh, dynamic dining experience to Connecticut residents, grow my portfolio within Hubspoke Brands, and deliver exceptional food and service in two vibrant communities."

From the announcement:

These milestone lease signings reflect the continued momentum behind Hubspoke Brands’ innovative multi-concept strategy, which pairs the fast-growing Wayback Burgers brand with its new fast-casual pizza concept, Molte Pizze. The upcoming Connecticut locations follow the successful debut of the first co-branded Wayback Burgers and Molte Pizze restaurant, which opened earlier this month in Emerson, NJ. Both restaurants will be owned and operated by Bimal Thakkar,a seasoned Wayback Burgers franchisee who currently owns four successful locations. As part of his continued growth within the Hubspoke Brands system, he will relocate his existing Wayback Burgers in Orange, CT, to a newly built space—introducing the Molte Pizze concept to create a co-branded location. Additionally, he will open a brand-new co-branded Wayback Burgers and Molte Pizze restaurant in Bridgeport, further expanding his footprint and introducing Hubspoke’s multi-concept dining experience to new communities across Connecticut.

As a well-established better burger brand, Wayback Burgers will bring its beloved made-to-order menu to Bridgeport and Orange, featuring delicious burgers available as single patties or classic doubles, alongside cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches and a variety of crave-worthy sides like fries, tots, onion rings and fried pickles—plus its signature hand-dipped milkshakes made with Blue Bunny® ice cream. Going “way” beyond the burger, the co-branded locations will introduce Molte Pizze, Hubspoke’s fast-casual pizza concept that celebrates America’s love for pizza with three distinct styles: crispy Tavern, foldable New York and cheesy, caramelized Detroit, accompanied by fresh salads.

The new co-branded Wayback Burgers and Molte Pizze locations in Bridgeport (1,278 square feet) and Orange (1,966 square feet) will feature thoughtfully designed, modern interiors with comfortable seating, creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests. Together, these restaurants are expected to create approximately 35 new jobs, positively impacting the local economy while showcasing Hubspoke Brands’ innovative multi-concept dining experience in Connecticut. By offering the best of both brands under one roof, these locations will provide guests with a diverse menu of crave-worthy, made-to-order burgers alongside Molte Pizze’s signature three styles of handcrafted pizza — all served in a fresh, fast-casual setting.

Hubspoke Brands is now accepting inquiries from prospective franchisees interested in operating and scaling a multi-brand portfolio, representing the next evolution in fast casual franchising. Featuring a diverse lineup of concepts—including the beloved Wayback Burgers, with operations in 36 states, and the multi-style pizza concept Molte Pizze—Hubspoke Brands offers franchisees a unique opportunity to grow dynamic, multi-brand businesses.

To learn more about Hubspoke Brands and its portfolio of concepts, visit www.hubspokebrands.com. Guests can explore menus, find locations, and access exclusive offers by joining the Wayback Rewards program at https://waybackburgers.com/rewards/. For additional information on Wayback Burgers and Molte Pizze locations, menus, promotions, and franchise opportunities, visit WaybackBurgers.com, MoltePizze.com, or connect with us on Facebook, X or Instagram.

ABOUT HUBSPOKE BRANDS
Hubspoke Brands is a forward-thinking restaurant franchising company offering a dynamic multi-brand platform for today’s entrepreneurs. Built on the success of its flagship concept, Wayback Burgers—with more than 170 locations across the U.S. and internationally—Hubspoke Brands delivers innovative restaurant concepts, streamlined operations, and unmatched franchisee support. In addition to Wayback Burgers, the company’s portfolio of brands includes Molte Pizze, Pane & Mozz, Taculto, Citta Pasta, Uncle Willie’s Smokehouse, and Hubspoke Kitchen—a one-stop hub for takeout and delivery that also serves as an incubator for emerging brands. Together, these concepts offer a scalable, sustainable path to growth for franchisees while redefining multi-brand ownership in the fast casual space.

ABOUT WAYBACK BURGERS
Founded in 1991 in Newark, Delaware, Wayback Burgers is a Connecticut-based fast-casual franchise with a reputation for made-to-order burgers and thick, hand-dipped milkshakes, served in an environment that hearkens back to a simpler place and time — when customer service meant something, and everyone felt the warmth of the community. Since 2018, Wayback Burgers has served as a proud partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, having raised over $1 million to date through donating a portion of the proceeds made for every burger and sandwich sold. Wayback Burgers currently operates in 36 states with over 170 locations nationally and internationally in Brunei, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, United Arab Emirates, and 7 provinces in Canada. Through its executed international master franchise agreements, Wayback Burgers is also developing in 16 provinces/countries across Africa, Asia, Dominican Republic, North America and United Arab Emirates.

ABOUT MOLTE PIZZE
Founded in 2023, Molte Pizze is a modern fast-casual pizza brand developed under the dynamic Hubspoke Brands multi-brand platform. Inspired by America’s love for pizza, the brand celebrates three iconic styles—Tavern, New York, and Detroit—brought together under one name, Italian for “many pizzas.” Initially introduced through Hubspoke Kitchen, Hubspoke Brands’ takeout and delivery-focused incubator, Molte Pizze was designed and refined based on real-time guest feedback and performance data. In 2025, the brand debuted its first franchised location as part of a co-branded concept with Wayback Burgers in Emerson, New Jersey—marking a major milestone in its national growth and multi-unit franchise potential.