Five Guys Burgers to Open Location in Seven Corners Area

Five Guys Burgers & Fries plans to open a location Jan. 23 in a Seven Corners shopping center (see map below), company spokeswoman Lauren Lewis, senior communications manager.

The popular Lorton-based burgers and fries chain, with more than 1,350 locations across the country and in Canada, the Middle East and Europe, got its start in 1986 in Northern Virginia. The iconic burger joint serves up burgers, hot dogs, french fries and milkshakes. See the menu here.

Its Beauregard Street location in Alexandria (on the border with Arlington) that closed in 2013 was its second location and closed after 22 years; the company said at the time they were committed to adding a new location in the area.

The company also plans to open a nearly 6,-000-square foot restaurant, also on Jan. 23, in the heart of Old Town Alexandria; another store will be opening in Burke in March.

Five Guys has been a Washington, DC area favorite since 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell offered advice to the four young Murrell brothers: "Start a business or go to college."The business route won and the Murrell family opened a carry-out burger joint in Arlington.

Under the guidance of Jerry and Janie, the Murrell family served only hand-formed burgers cooked to perfection on a grill along with fresh-cut fries cooked in pure peanut oil. The little burger joint quickly developed a cult-like following. Customers voted the burger"#1" in the metro area.

During the 1980s and 1990s the Murrell family perfected their simple system. Five Guys was The Place to get a fresh, juicy burger with all the toppings you could stuff between fresh-baked buns. A fifth brother was born and, as their family grew, so did their business. Four more restaurants with sit-down seating were added to accommodate the growing clientele.

Early in 2003 Jerry and Janie, together with the five"guys" began offering franchise opportunities. In under 18 months, Five Guys Enterprises sold options for over 300 units. The company's franchising made national news with articles in trade publications such as Nation's Restaurant News, Restaurant Business Magazine, and the Franchise Times.

PHOTO: Five Guys photo/Patch photo

Location of new Five Guys opening Jan. 23 in Seven Corners area (Google maps), 6134-A Arlington Blvd.;