STEP UP TO THE COUNTER™ Restaurant-Savvy Brothers Open The Counter’s First Georgia Location

July 19, 2008 - PRLog -- (Roswell, GA)---Siblings often have an innate rivalry and a knack for driving each other crazy, but for brothers Don and Scott Harris, their lifelong close relationship will come full circle on June 9th when they open The Counter at 850 Mansell Road. Instead of a ribbon cutting, the gourmet burger concept’s first location in the state and the first of at least 10 such restaurants over the next 10 years will celebrate its grand opening with the cutting of a 10-pound burger by the new owners and the Mayor Jere Wood of Roswell
   Don, 54, and Scott, 45, are no strangers to the restaurant business through owning and operating six Panera Bread restaurants in northeast Georgia. Having become owners of Panera eight years ago, Don and Scott learned the ins and outs of a restaurant in its developmental stages and were constantly looking for another dynamic start-up to add to their repertoire. When Don and Scott began to research their next venture about a year ago, one company – The Counter – kept making its way to the top of their list.
   “Though The Counter didn’t have many locations at the time, we heard its name everywhere,” said Don, 54. “One day it was on Oprah and in GQ and the next it was named the best burger on The Today Show, all of which raved about its delicious food and innovative concept. We got on what seems like the next plane out to L.A. to meet with the corporate staff and after sitting in one of their restaurants and sampling the food with The Counter team, we knew it was exactly what we’d been looking for. Needless to say, we went back to Georgia with smiling faces and satisfied stomachs.”
   “One of the things that excited us the most about The Counter was the high level of customer participation. Instead of a chef dictating what you can and cannot have, the customers are making every decision about their meal. From the bun and meat to the cheese and toppings, each meal is truly unique,” said Scott. “Through our years with Panera, we’ve prided ourselves on our commitment to our customers; we know that we wouldn’t have a business without them so we’ll do anything in our power to make each and every experience at one of our restaurants an enjoyable one.”
Culver City, Calif.-based The Counter is the 21st-century equivalent to the classic burger joint, offering a fresh, unconventional approach to the American tradition of creating the ultimate premium burger with its inviting industrial décor, today’s music and outstanding food in a laid-back family atmosphere. With more than 312,000 plus ways to build their own beef, chicken, turkey or veggie burger, including three patty sizes, 10 cheeses, 26 toppings, 17 unique sauces and three types of buns, The Counter gives customers the ultimate freedom in creating their meal. The Counter has sold development rights for over 125 restaurants and projections call for 25 new locations in both 2008 and 2009. The number of yearly openings is expected to increase annually as the concept matures. Long-range projections call for as many as 400 to 600 U.S. locations. In addition to opening at least 10 locations across Georgia over the next 10 years – their next target is Atlanta – Don and Scott also plan to introduce The Counter into Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg in Florida.
“To be able to grow a concept into a completely untapped market is an entrepreneur’s dream and for that concept to be The Counter makes this experience even more exciting,” said Don.

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The Counter

Located in the Mansell Oaks Shopping Center


850 Mansell Road
Roswell, Ga 30076

678 461 9661
678 461 9662 fax

Roswell@thecounterburger.com

Check us out at: www.thecounterburger.com

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