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The origins of Wahlburgers date back to 2011 in Hingham, Massachusetts by chef Paul Wahlberg and his famous actor brothers, Donnie and Mark Wahlberg.
The first Wahlburgers restaurant opened near the family's existing restaurant, Alma Nove, named after their mother.
Inspired by their mother's recipes, the Wahlberg brothers created a menu centered around burgers but also incorporating family dishes like macaroni salad.
The restaurant chain was designed to offer a casual dining experience with high-quality ingredients, catering to burger enthusiasts.
From its inception, Wahlburgers emphasized three key pillars:
In 2012, the Wahlbergs faced legal challenges when a former business partner, Edward St. Croix, sued them for alleged mismanagement and improper conduct.
The legal battle escalated in 2013 when St. Croix filed a countersuit. It claimed that the Wahlberg brothers were attempting to exclude him from the business.
The success of the Wahlburgers restaurant chain inspired a reality TV series of the same name, which aired on A&E from 2014 to 2019, spanning 10 seasons.
The show gained critical acclaim, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program in its debut year of 2014.
Throughout its run, "Wahlburgers" featured numerous celebrity cameos, showcasing the Wahlberg brothers' wide-ranging connections.
Notable guests included:
Bringing star power and diverse appeal to the show's depiction of the restaurant business.
In 2017, Wahlburgers expanded its reach through a partnership with Meijer stores, bringing its restaurants to select locations in Michigan and Ohio.
The following year, the chain further extended its presence by signing a significant franchising deal with grocery chain Hy-Vee. It included plans to open 26 restaurants and introduce Wahlburgers menu items to some Hy-Vee in-store restaurants.
Wahlburgers began expanding internationally in November 2014 with its first location outside the United States opening in Toronto, Canada.
The chain's ambitions grew rapidly, with plans announced in 2017 to expand into Asia with 100 restaurants. Though this plan didn’t really pan out.
In 2019, Wahlburgers ventured into the European market with a location in London's Covent Garden. Sadly, the restaurant closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The business finally made it into the Southern Hemisphere with its first Australian location opening in Sydney on February 17, 2022.
From Paul Wahlberg's initial vision of a single restaurant in Hingham, Massachusetts, Wahlburgers has grown into a global phenomenon, boasting over 90 locations across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as of March 2023.
Throughout its history, Wahlburgers has prioritized quality over rapid expansion, with chef Paul Wahlberg emphasizing careful preparation of each burger.
The chain has maintained a commitment to connecting with local communities when opening new locations, consistently focusing on its key brand pillars of food, family, and fun to deliver a top-notch experience.
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