Future of Mentor Five Guys Is Uncertain

Few eateries are more anticipated in Mentor than Five Guys Burgers & Fries, but, at best, the wait will have to continue.

The restaurant, famous for its big burgers, brown-bag fries and lengthy toppings list, appears no closer to opening than it was in July 2012 when a revised parking lot plan was approved for Five Guys and Hooley House.

The city announced that Five Guys had plans to open a location next to Hooley at the intersection of Tyler Boulevard and Route 306 last year, but city officials aren't certain about the project's future.

"They have some cost considerations relative to improvements on the site," Mentor Economic Development Director Ron Traub said. "They're working through those now."

Traub added that the company might be rebidding some elements of the project. A broker from Cleveland-based Goodman Group handling the project did not return a call regarding Five Guys.

If the project is still on, the company would still need to get final site plan approval from the planning commission before residents could enjoy the restaurant's food.

Traub admitted that Five Guys might be looking elsewhere for its new location.

"From my perspective, I hope it's elsewhere in the city," Traub said.