UPDATE: New Opening Date for Five Guys Burgers King Street Location in Alexandria

UPDATE Monday, Nov. 21: ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The new Five Guys restaurant under construction at the former Bertucci's location on King Street, originally eyeing an opening date of Monday, Nov. 28, is pushing that date back, spokeswoman Lauren Lewis said Monday.

The new opening date is set for Jan. 23, 2017, she said. There are also plans for new stores coming to Seven Corners and Burke, she said.

At 5,900 square feet, the King Street location of the popular burgers and fries chain, which got its start in 1986 in Northern Virginia, will be more than twice the size of most Five Guys eateries, according to Lewis, senior communications manager for the company.

The iconic burger joint serves up burgers, hot dogs, french fries and milkshakes. See the menu here.

At its new location, Five Guys plans to have 83 seats inside and seating for 12 outside on the N. Columbus side in Old Town. No word on whether the company plans to continue to operate two Five Guys in Old Town; as for now, there are no plans to close the 107 N. Fayette St., Lewis said. The new store is hiring.

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.

More than 20 years after Five Guys first opened, there are more than 1,000 locations nationwide and more than 1,500 units in development.

PHOTO: Five Guys photo courtesy of company

Location of new Five Guys, opening in November (Google maps):