The humble burger still reigns as America’s favorite food, but a growing number of foodies are searching for something a little more special: Sandwiches made with fresh Angus beef, a better quality roll and such toppings as aged cheddar or homemade pickles.
The so-called better burger segment has become one of the restaurant industry’s best performers in recent years, in part because of unprecedented growth by Five Guys Burgers and Fries, known for its hand-formed burgers, fresh-cut fries and unlimited free toppings.
The better burger segment remains a tiny portion of the restaurant industry, with estimated sales of $2.2 billion in 2011, but it grew 21% from the previous year, according to a recent report by Technomic, a Chicago research firm. That compares with sales growth in 2011 of 3.2% for all fast-food and fast-casual restaurants that focus on burgers.