A Whopper Of A Burger Battle

MetroWest Daily News:

Watch your back, Ronald McDonald. Somebody might be gaining on you.

A vanguard of new fast-food chains is testing the Bay State’s appetite for burger alternatives.

While the industry’s big three of McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s continue to dominate the fast-food burger segment, entrepreneurs see potential for start-up hamburger chains to take business both from the industry leaders and the struggling casual dining segment.

“People enjoy a really good burger, especially right now with everything being so expensive,” said Sean Olson, who has an agreement to open 11 Five Guys Burgers and Fries outlets in Norfolk County.

Fast-growing Five Guys arrives in Massachusetts next week with the opening of Olson’s first restaurant in Dedham, with locations in Foxboro and Dartmouth to follow.

Colorado-based chain Red Robin Gourmet Burgers opened its fifth Bay State restaurant last month at Patriot Place in Foxboro as part of a 43-store nationwide expansion this year.

Wild Willy’s Burgers opened its sixth New England location in Natick last month, and start-up UBurger will open its second Boston restaurant in September.

The big three comprised 73.3 percent of the nation’s fast-service burger segment in 2007, up from 70 percent the previous year, according to Chicago-based restaurant consultancy Technomic.

More.

Photo: Lisa BÜl / The Patriot Ledger.