Wahlburgers

Wahlburgers

Company type	Private
Industry	Casual dining restaurant
Founded	2011 (2011)
Founder	Paul Wahlberg
Area served	United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
Key people	Paul Wahlberg (Co-owner), Donnie Wahlberg (Co-owner), Mark Wahlberg (Co-owner), John Fuller (CEO)
Products	Burgers, sandwiches, fries, cocktails
Website	www.wahlburgers.com

Wahlburgers (presented as wahlburgers) is a casual dining chain specializing in burgers and bars, co-owned by chef Paul Wahlberg alongside his brothers, actors Donnie Wahlberg and Mark Wahlberg. By 2023, Wahlburgers has expanded to more than 90 establishments throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The brand formerly operated a restaurant in London and also manages several food trucks within the US market.

The company's prominence was further elevated by the A&E reality series Wahlburgers, which debuted in 2014 and ran for ten seasons, significantly boosting its brand recognition and commercial expansion. For the fiscal year concluding in February 2021, Wahlburgers reported revenues nearing US$105 million, underscoring its growing presence in the casual dining sector.

Leadership includes founder Paul Wahlberg and CEO John Fuller. The enterprise’s strategy emphasizes delivering high-quality menu items—including burgers, sandwiches, fries, and cocktails—while leveraging a celebrity-driven image to strengthen its competitive position in the foodservice arena.

History

In 2011, an investment group featuring brothers Paul Wahlberg, Donnie Wahlberg, and Mark Wahlberg acquired licensing rights for the "Wahlburger" name from Tom Wahl's to establish their own restaurant brand. The family also owns Alma Nove, a venue named after their mother and inspired by the Italian term for nine, representing their siblings. The inaugural Wahlburgers location launched in Hingham, Massachusetts, close to Alma Nove.

The brand’s popularity paved the way for the A&E reality show Wahlburgers, which premiered in 2014, ran for ten seasons, and received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program.

Following this success, a second outlet opened in Toronto in November 2014, with a subsequent launch in Orlando, Florida, in February 2016. In 2016, Wahlburgers expanded into Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with plans for further sites. However, the Raleigh branch that opened in May 2018 shuttered within seven months due to financial difficulties. Additionally, plans for a South Charlotte location were halted by late 2018.

In January 2017, Wahlburgers announced a collaboration with Cachet Hospitality Group aiming to establish 100 restaurants across Asia within five years; this agreement was eventually discontinued. Later that year, in December 2017, a deal with Meijer was formed to introduce Wahlburgers outlets inside Michigan and Ohio stores.

The first Upper East Side Manhattan restaurant opened in May 2017 but was permanently closed by November 2018 following health code infractions. Seasonal pop-ups operated at Coney Island during 2017 and 2018. Two franchises launched in Los Angeles at the end of 2017; Mark Wahlberg had sought a pardon for prior convictions to ease licensing processes but later withdrew his petition.

A franchise partnership with Hy-Vee grocery stores commenced with a Mall of America location opening in May 2018, targeting up to 26 restaurants alongside retail product offerings. That same year saw new locations debuting in Olathe, Kansas. In April 2018, Wahlburgers ventured into retail distribution through ARKK Food, offering Angus beef patties across more than 1,300 outlets.

In June 2018, CEO Rick Vanzura resigned and was replaced by John Fuller, who previously led Johnny Rockets and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf as CEO.

Wahlburgers entered the United Kingdom market by opening a Covent Garden site in May 2019 with ambitions for 15 locations over five years; however, it closed permanently by mid-2020 due to COVID-19 related challenges. The first German branch opened at Ramstein Air Base in January 2020 but ceased operations at the end of 2022. In February 2022, the brand inaugurated its initial Australian store in Sydney followed by another location in Surfers Paradise later that year.