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August 22. 2012 1:38AM
Five Guys ready to serve patrons in Dover
DOVER – Although many customers were willing to drive across the state or country for a handmade burger, area residents are excited that Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened nearby on Wednesday.
At 11 a.m., the newest location of the growing chain opened at 15 Webb Place near the intersection of Routes 9 and 108.
While this is the fifth Five Guys store to open in the state — after Derry, Keene, Manchester and Nashua — the process remains both exciting and nerve-racking for Cort Mendez, franchisee for Five Guys in New Hampshire.
"I love this location – it’s the second busiest intersection in the Seacoast," Mendez said, adding only the Portsmouth Traffic Circle to the south rivals the crossing off of Exit 9 along the Spaulding Turnpike – Route 16.
"We’ve got 10 more to do after Dover," Mendez said, adding he plans to open locations in West Lebanon in October and in South Nashua around Christmas.
"We’re kind of in between fast food and full service," Mendez said, adding the menu is simple, but the restaurant strives to prepare every burger exactly how the customer wants it. Each burger is prepared fresh and cooked to order, which takes about eight minutes or so, he said. Customers can snack on free peanuts while they wait. Mendez said he’s hired 50 people to work at the new store, but he’s confident they are up to the challenge of preparing burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, BLTs and loads of freshly cut french fries.
On Tuesday, the staff prepared close to 400 orders for friends, family and a few members of the public as a culmination of their training, according to Matt Griffin, who serves as one of the managers at the new location.
Griffin, of Dover, believes the staff will be up to the challengeof a busy store.
"People are going to come far and wide," Griffin said, adding Dover needed this opportunity.
F.X. Brouton, of Dover, said this is a great addition to Dover’s businesses — especially since he can stop by and enjoy a cheeseburger with jalapenos and hot sauce anytime he wants.
"It’s a great location for them," Brouton said, adding Five Guys filled the void left by Blockbuster and an old arcade.
Heather Durant, of Newmarket, who first tried Five Guys burgers in Manchester, said she’ll be able to stop by more often, as it’s just down the road.
"I’m so excited there’s one close by," Durant said.
After trying their first burger while snow-birding in Mississippi, Joe & Nancy Bisson, of Rochester, couldn’t wait for a Five Guys to come to the area.
"I wouldn’t drive to Manchester or Nashua," Joe said. "Now I have one close by."
Mendez said he’s planning to open two more stores in Portsmouth and Seabrook in the spring.
"I see a lot of markets are possible," Mendez said, adding he’s considering other possibilities in Tilton, Concord, Salem, North Conway, Rochester and Epping.
For more information, visit http://www.fiveguys.com/.
At 11 a.m., the newest location of the growing chain opened at 15 Webb Place near the intersection of Routes 9 and 108.
While this is the fifth Five Guys store to open in the state — after Derry, Keene, Manchester and Nashua — the process remains both exciting and nerve-racking for Cort Mendez, franchisee for Five Guys in New Hampshire.
"I love this location – it’s the second busiest intersection in the Seacoast," Mendez said, adding only the Portsmouth Traffic Circle to the south rivals the crossing off of Exit 9 along the Spaulding Turnpike – Route 16.
"We’ve got 10 more to do after Dover," Mendez said, adding he plans to open locations in West Lebanon in October and in South Nashua around Christmas.
"We’re kind of in between fast food and full service," Mendez said, adding the menu is simple, but the restaurant strives to prepare every burger exactly how the customer wants it. Each burger is prepared fresh and cooked to order, which takes about eight minutes or so, he said. Customers can snack on free peanuts while they wait. Mendez said he’s hired 50 people to work at the new store, but he’s confident they are up to the challenge of preparing burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, BLTs and loads of freshly cut french fries.
On Tuesday, the staff prepared close to 400 orders for friends, family and a few members of the public as a culmination of their training, according to Matt Griffin, who serves as one of the managers at the new location.
Griffin, of Dover, believes the staff will be up to the challengeof a busy store.
"People are going to come far and wide," Griffin said, adding Dover needed this opportunity.
F.X. Brouton, of Dover, said this is a great addition to Dover’s businesses — especially since he can stop by and enjoy a cheeseburger with jalapenos and hot sauce anytime he wants.
"It’s a great location for them," Brouton said, adding Five Guys filled the void left by Blockbuster and an old arcade.
Heather Durant, of Newmarket, who first tried Five Guys burgers in Manchester, said she’ll be able to stop by more often, as it’s just down the road.
"I’m so excited there’s one close by," Durant said.
After trying their first burger while snow-birding in Mississippi, Joe & Nancy Bisson, of Rochester, couldn’t wait for a Five Guys to come to the area.
"I wouldn’t drive to Manchester or Nashua," Joe said. "Now I have one close by."
Mendez said he’s planning to open two more stores in Portsmouth and Seabrook in the spring.
"I see a lot of markets are possible," Mendez said, adding he’s considering other possibilities in Tilton, Concord, Salem, North Conway, Rochester and Epping.
For more information, visit http://www.fiveguys.com/.