Mark Wahlberg opening burger restaurant
Agencies | Updated: 2011-08-26 13:46
Mark Wahlberg is opening a hamburger restaurant.
The actor has teamed with his brothers, New Kids on the Block star Donnie and chef Paul, to license the previously-trademarked name Wahlburgers and are set to open an eatery in Hingham, Massachusetts.
Business partner Ed St.Croix said: "It just works. It's a good-sounding brand we could put out the product with, a great name people could relate to."
The restaurant's owner group approached Tom Wahl's - a New York burger chain - a few months ago after learning they sold a product called the 'Wahlburger' and came to an arrangement that gave them "full spectrum" use of the moniker.
Ed said: "We were definitely surprised. It was a thing we had talked about for several years.
"Working with the people out in New York, they were fantastic. It worked out well for both sides."
Wahlburgers will open in the Hingham Shipyard district, close to an Italian restaurant - which is named Alma Nove after the brothers' mother - already owned by the group.
Mark, Donnie, Paul and their other business partners also plan to open a pizzeria next spring.
Hingham town administrator Ted Alexiades said: "The first restaurant has been absolutely fabulous, a real anchor for the Shipyard.
"We expect nothing, but success."
