Back Yard Burgers Debuts Fast Casual Prototype

September 2020

Back Yard Burgers opened a fast casual prototype Monday in Gastonia, North Carolina, featuring an updated building design focused on drive-thru, pick-up, delivery, as well as outdoor dining and indoor dining. The company, owned by Axum Capital Partners, also has plans to open additional locations across the Carolinas in the coming months.

"Over the last couple of years, we have been working on our new prototype that includes new technologies, interior design updates and business processes to better serve our guests and our communities," CEO Dennis Pfaff said in a company press release. "We are excited to now bring these changes to life with our new prototype while delivering the same flame-grilled flavor and back yard feel that has been a hallmark of our brand since its inception to Gastonia and to North Carolina."

The prototype include:

• Updated interior design that brings the outdoor back yard feel in with pergolas and an opened kitchen that gives guests a better view of their sandwiches being cooked over the open flame with all of the sights, sounds and aromas.

• More modern exteriors featuring a mix of brick, wood and metal to showcase new signage and the new Back Yard Burgers flame.

• Carside order taking in the drive-thru and payment through tablets when higher volume occurs.

• Contactless ordering.

In addition to burgers, Back Yard Burgers Gastonia offers chicken sandwiches and a Portobello mushroom cap sandwich as well as new sides such as fried pickles, mac-n-cheese and grandma's potato salad. For dessert, guests may choose from the brookie dessert (a combination cookie and brownie) or milkshakes that include chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, chocolate/banana and Oreo.

The chain, which has 46 locations, is following all CDC and North Carolina recommendations, including face coverings, sanitizing stations and social distancing measures according to the release.