Wednesday, April 24, 2019

[CLOSURE ALERT] After More Than 35 Years, Burger King Cedes its Throne in Marietta

The Burger King restaurant at 2716 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta has closed.  The freestanding restaurant was located in front of the largely vacant Sprayberry Crossing shopping center and reportedly closed without warning last week.  The Marietta location is at least the second Burger King restaurant to close in metro Atlanta in just the past two months, the first being the closure of the Peachtree Corners restaurant on Holcomb Bridge Road in early March.
Photo courtesy of Angela Green Giles via Sprayberry Crossing Action
Unlike the Burger Kings that closed in Peachtree Corners (and Dunwoody, which closed last year), both of which were operated by GPS Hospitality, one of the largest Burger King franchisees in the country, the Marietta location was operated by G&P Food Management, a far smaller group.   

Cobb County property records indicate that the Marietta Burger King opened in 1983, sits on just under an acre, and is about 2,500 square feet.  The restaurant once had an outdoor play-place, but it was removed more than a decade ago and replaced with outdoor seating.  

The county records further indicate that the restaurant is owned by an affiliate of KJF Partners, Inc.  Based in San Clemente, California, KJF Partners specializes in vacant or under-performing quick-serve restaurant buildings.

ToNeTo Atlanta spoke with Joe Faris, principal at KJF, about his firm's decision to acquire the property. “We were attracted to the Marietta property because of the quality of the community and we’re hopeful that we locate a tenant the community will see as a great addition to their lives."

A property listing from Dart Retail Advisors promoting the restaurant building indicates "The Sandy Plains market neighborhood is ranked among the 15% highest income neighborhoods in America."

Faris indicated his team is "talking" with at least one interested QSR (quick-serve restaurant) but did not reveal who that might be or when a deal might be completed.  

One possible replacement tenant is Starbucks, which currently operates a coffee shop and drive-thru about three miles away at 3631 Sandy Plains Road.  

Starbucks has previously stated that opening locations with drive-thrus is a priority for the company.  That said, former drive-thru equipped restaurants provide plenty of options for the company's growth efforts.  

In 2017, Starbucks opened new locations in a converted former Wendy's on Powers Ferry Road in Sandy Springs and in another former Wendy's on Peachtree Road in south Buckhead.  For a short time, the company also operated a coffee shop from a former Arby's on Spring Street in Midtown where the student housing development The Standard was later built.  

Examples of previous deals executed by Faris and his team include the replacing of a vacant Wendy's with a new Del Taco in Allen Park, Michigan, and the renovation of an under-performing and dated Arby's in Mobile, Alabama with a new Burger King.  The company also executed a lease with Tropical Smoothie Cafe to take over a 1960s era Taco Bell in Fountain Valley, California.  

Faris' website indicates his firm has also done deals with Starbucks, KFC, McDonald's and Long John Silver's, among others.  

Captain D's, which once had dozens of restaurants scattered around metro Atlanta, has in recent years seen a resurgence in the brand, and in franchisees looking to expand the concept.  To that end, a new Captain D's restaurant recently opened in Acworth and another is opening soon in Norcross.  Captain D's, too, could be interested in the vacant Burger King.   

Mr. Faris welcomes community input on what they would most like to see open in place of the former Marietta Burger King.  We at ToNeTo Atlanta encourage our readers to leave comments about what they would like to see open but to please be realistic.  It's incredibly unlikely that concepts like Upbeet, Souper Jenny, or bartaco will be interested in the site.  

As many in the local Sandy Plains area community are acutely aware, the center behind which the Burger King building is located has seen better days.  The Sprayberry Crossing Action facebook page, now 4,500 strong, has energized the community to pressure the center's owners to either improve the property or sell it to someone who will.  Faris too is hopeful that the community has seen the worst of times for the center and that new, more engaged ownership is on the horizon.  

Although a deal is not yet done, local real estate sources indicate that the property is actively being shopped and that there are a number of interested parties. 

What would you like to see open in place of Burger King on Sandy Plains Road?  What would you most like to see happen to the Sprayberry Crossing shopping center?  Are you old enough to remember when The Dive Shop was a Taco Bell restaurant?

Please share your thoughts below.  

61 comments:

Brad Sappenfield said...

I worked at the Chick-fil-A a block away on the corner of Sandy Plains and East Piedmont when it opened in 1988. I remember eating at this Burger King after I had my wisdon teeth out in December 1988. I live in Memphis now, I hope they put something here that would help the area - like a Starbucks!

Christine Heusinger said...

I would like to see Atlanta Bread Company or Panera Bread in that location.

Anonymous said...

I was attending Sprayberry High School when that Burger King opened. Sprayberry Crossing needs to be torn down and rebuilt

Islandgirl Evy said...

I would love to see a Starbucks (with drive through) at the former Burger King location. There is space and a ton of working ppl who would stop in on the way to work.

As for the lot behind there, a nice development with restaurants and green space with outdoor seating would be a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Currently its an eyesore.

JRum said...

Panera bread

Caroline said...

As an antique dealer at Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors across the street from this location, I would love to see a Starbucks with a drive-thru in this location! That would be a great addition for myself and our shoppers!

AuntBubba said...

Panera would be great~

Anonymous said...

Mattress Firm or Nail Salon

Anonymous said...

Starbucks!!

Anonymous said...

Trader Joe's

Tracey said...

Bring COOK OUT in!!!

Unknown said...

Martin's, a local 3-store chain, would be an ideal client for this space. There's not one anywhere nearby and they have wonderful biscuit and breakfast menu, as well as a nice lunch menu. East Cobb needs someplace for breakfast, besides Waffle House.

Anonymous said...

Chipotle. There are no burrito spots in the area.

Ron said...

5 guys, Cook Out, Checkers, Steak n Shake, Willy's Mexicana Grill, Panda Express.

Anonymous said...

It's restaurant row. Martin's.

Pat Watson said...

Yes, Christine! I agree.

Pat Watson said...

Like others above, Panera's would be great.

Anonymous said...

Aldi's, Sprouts, Trader Joe's or the other German Grocery that should have been built at the Movie Theater location at Sandy Plains and Gordy.

IndieMom said...

This area needs a good bagel place! Bruegger’s?

Unknown said...

Would LOVE to see a "Martin's".....Best biscuits ever !!!! Please no more Starbucks !!!! Lot not big enough for a Trader Joe's or that would be good. Guess Krispy Kreme is out as it failed at Merchants walk 5 years or more ago??? Was hoping for something different ......

eastcobbmom said...

We don't need another Starbucks; there are two already right up the road at the corner of Sandy Plains & Shallowford. We'd love to see healthier options like Kale Me Crazy, Southern Pressed Juicery, Flower Child, or Happy & Hale.

Unknown said...

Martin's!

Unknown said...

Yes, I remember Taco Bell and also Del Taco , where I eorwor as a teenager. Please no Captain D's. There is one close by.

Unknown said...

Yes, I remember Taco Bell and also Del Taco , where I eorwor as a teenager. Please no Captain D's. There is one close by.

eastcobbmom said...

I was wondering why you say restaurants like Upbeet would not be interested in this location? I live in this area and I know families here are desperate for healthier options.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to put a Martin's there or put one at the old Bojangles location on Canton Rd. I need more all day biscuit options!

Anonymous said...

Starbucks

slobadon said...

Willy's! Or Zoe's!

Anonymous said...

Long John silvers

Anonymous said...

Fazoli's Please!! Martin's would be also delicious!

Please bring Burger king to East Cobb! The old Del taco space is open!

Anonymous said...

How does the closing of a Burger King in Marietta get to 31 posts?

Anonymous said...

LOL the desperation for crumbs and the demand for crumpets. What happens when you get nothing?

Anonymous said...

One of those Buc-ee's mega convenience stores coming to the ATL would be a PERFECT fit!

Unknown said...

Will the Burger King on Spring Rd in the Smyrna,Ga be closing as well or what?

Anonymous said...

That parcel is too small for Panera

Anonymous said...

Why in Hades would anyone seriously want a Staryucks there? Surely yall jest.

Anonymous said...

Neiman Marcus!!!!

Kitster said...

PLEASE NO MORE STARBUCKS! There is one up the road 3 miles. Then another 2 miles north of that! Why not a SUBWAY? Maybe another DUNKIN?

Martins would be GREAT.
CookOut would be GREAT.
Culvers would be GREAT.
Here is a curve ball - DICKEYS (Texas BBQ joint) would be awesome. The closest locations are Kennesaw and Milton.

Anonymous said...

BBQ drive thru (not Sonny's BBQ) = GREAT!
Italian-> Fazoli's = Great!
Korean fried chicken-> Bonchon = absolutely delicious!!
Burger-> Burgerim = Great!
Burger-> jack in the box = yum!

Just something different that is not available but in this location.

Please no more Starbucks, Panera, (hate) dunkin, Moe's, which which, or Zoe's.

Anonymous said...

The demands on this topic and location for fast food are crazy. Then you are the same people that complain when nicer restaurants and retail shutter their doors. YOU are the reason we can't have nice things!

Anonymous said...

First time I have seen mention of Bonchon on ToNeTo. Can confirm, they are awesome. Marietta is as good a place as any to get one.

Unknown said...

I agree!

Rosemary said...

Absolutely agree! All-Organic fast food!

Anonymous said...

I wish that BK could have hung on long enough in that location to serve the Impossible Whopper. I was planning on walking over from LA Fitness at least once a week to eat it.

We don't need another Starbucks in the area. And for those who want to see a Chipotle, it is my understanding that the former Boston Market just past the Shallowford intersection will be a Chipotle soon. And we're getting a MOD Pizza in the new Publix Greenwise plaza.

I feel like I'm being a Negative Nancy, but I too hate Panera.

What about a VEGGIE GRILL? I hear the company is expanding across the country soon, so why not in Marietta? I promise to eat there at least weekly.

Steve Barton said...

Funny.

Kat W said...

Martin's would be good, but I also like someone else's idea of some healthier options. Flower Child, Fresh to Order, Gusto! (OMG, Gusto! would be great!), NaanStop, Chopt, or Zoe's would all be great.

For the Sprayberry Crossing shopping center, I'd love to see a Trader Joe's go in there! And fixing the pavement.

Anonymous said...

^^ LOL ^^

Normsnan said...

Chipotle is coming in the old Boston Market across from Highland Plaza

Normsnan said...

Chipotle is coming in the old Boston Market location across from Highland Plaza

Anonymous said...

Chipotle ??? A bowl of e-coli No thanks!! Overrated!

Anonymous said...

@May 5, 2019 at 7:02 PM

Lol! So true! you take your chances eating at Chipotle! e-coli on rice!

Anonymous said...

One word. WHATABURGER

Unknown said...

That's sounds good 😊 there's a d&d across the street we don't need a Starbucks

Unknown said...

Oh boy that's great

Anonymous said...

Two words: GOOD LUCK

Signed,
LOL

Jason said...

HOOTERS!!!

Pat Watson said...

I second that.

Pat Watson said...

Different would be good.

Pat Watson said...

Think we could talk In and Out to come over here?
Or maybe a good Dairy Queen?

George Burdell said...

Desperately need more restaurants. Perhaps a Moes or Willys - Captain Ds' would be great. I remember the vacant lot before the Burger King was built, and knew many fellow students from Lassiter High School that worked there after school.

I stopped eating at burger king after they started moving more of the coupons to their online phone app. After getting entices to the store and then repeatedly not being able to use the coupons, I decided it was just too much trouble. The high tech stuff is great and cool, but when it has fundamental functional failures it just drives away customers. The cleanliness and quality of food are foundational and most important.

Anonymous said...

Drove past this location Sunday and the building is gone.

Ready for a new business.

Too bad the shopping center behind the site is in need of bulldozer or two.

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