A new burger concept—​Little Big Burger—is coming to a Publix shopping center in Cornelius. NASCAR superstar Denny Hamlin​ ​is partnering up 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 nine ​more potential
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.

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, who currently sits sixth in the 2018 championship point standings, built a 30,000-square-foot mansion on Mollypop Lane on the Jetton Road/John Connor Road peninsula.

HAMLIN

“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.

“We continue to be pleased at the continuing progress of our national rollout of both our Little Big Burger and Burgers Grilled Right brands. As of today, we have 14 LBB stores and expect to add an additional 6-10 new locations throughout the balance of the year. With our current pipeline, remaining JV locations and new potential franchise partners we remain confident that for 2018, total store count will grow more than 20 percent. We’re equally pleased to announce that our recently opened Catholic University BGR location has been a top performer since opening. In addition, selective BGR and American Burger Company (“ABC”) stores have experienced record weeks in sales as of late,” Pruitt said.

Growth continues to be fueled by the favorable economics of both the LBB and BGR better burger brands and joint ventures that encompass multi-location agreements.