How Back Yard Burger is Tackling Expansion in Charlotte and Beyond

Back Yard Burgers' menu is built around 100% Black Angus beef burgers.

Back Yard Burgers is set to grow its footprint in the Charlotte market — and beyond.

The better-burger chain’s second restaurant in the region opens in June. That 2,200-square-foot store will be located at 4060 Harris Square Drive in Harrisburg.

“This couldn’t come fast enough,” says Dennis Pfaff, CEO of Back Yard Burgers. “We can’t wait to keep growing in the market.”

Plans call for two additional stores by the end of 2022, with submarkets and Charlotte proper under consideration.

“We’ve mapped out where we’d like to be from an overarching trade area perspective,” he says.

Charlotte private equity firm Axum Capital Partners — which purchased the brand in 2017 — has plans for as many as 30 corporate-owned stores over the next five years.

“We feel like we’ve really hit a sweet spot and we’re ready to introduce that to the rest of the country,” says Muhsin Muhammad.

The former Carolina Panthers player is co-founder of Axum.

The Back Yard Burgers brand reentered the Charlotte market last year, after exiting in 2012.

Its Gastonia store introduced a new prototype for the brand; sales at that location have topped projections by 10% over the first five months.

Future locations will incorporate those changes. Refreshed Back Yard Burgers stores dial in on its menu and add conveniences for customers around ordering.

Spaces will feature an updated interior design. Think pergolas inside and an open kitchen to share the sights, sounds and smells of food being cooked over an open flame.

A modern exterior mixes wood, brick and metal.

Contactless ordering is available for dine-in guests. Carside ordering in drive-thru lanes is standard during times of higher volume.

“We really feel now we have something to grow off of, both for our corporate platform and our franchise setting,” Muhammad says.

Franchising could extend the brand’s reach. Axum is currently fine-tuning those plans.

Back Yard Burgers currently operates 46 company-owned and franchise restaurants in nine states, including North Carolina.

“I think it’s very important for us to prove out our model,” says Muhammad. “Our goal is to go out and show our franchise community how to make money.”

He feels Back Yard Burgers has carved out its niche in the better-burger market. There was pent-up demand for a higher-quality offering in a convenient setting.

The restaurant cooks its 100% Angus beef patties over an open-flame grill with flavors such as honey BBQ, bacon avocado, black jack, mushroom Swiss and mac 'n' cheese.

“We put the best product out there that makes the consumer desire and crave it. Ours is a different flavor profile,” Pfaff says,

There are also chicken sandwiches and a portobello mushroom cap sandwich. Sides include fried pickles, mac 'n' cheese and grandma’s potato salad.