Wahlburgers
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA casual-dining burger and bar chain founded and operated by brothers Paul, Donnie, and Mark Wahlberg.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
Wahlburgers is a privately held casual-dining restaurant and bar brand associated with chef Paul Wahlberg and his brothers, entertainers Donnie Wahlberg and Mark Wahlberg. The business began in 2011 in Hingham, Massachusetts, close to Alma Nove, the Wahlberg family's earlier restaurant venture. Its concept combines a chef-led burger menu with celebrity-family storytelling, a relaxed atmosphere, and recognizable Wahlberg branding. The restaurant was created after an equity group involving the three brothers licensed the Wahlburger name from Tom Wahl's, a separate hamburger business. Paul Wahlberg has been the culinary figurehead, while Donnie and Mark have contributed visibility, investment, and promotional reach. The menu has centered on burgers made from blends such as Angus brisket, chuck, and short rib, alongside fries, sandwiches, salads, sides, desserts, shakes, and alcoholic beverages at participating full-service locations. The brand has also used food trucks and retail distribution to extend beyond conventional restaurants. Wahlburgers gained substantial public awareness through the A&E reality television series of the same name. The program premiered in January 2014 and followed the family members and restaurant operation, turning the chain into both a food-service business and an entertainment property. The show ran for ten seasons over approximately five years and received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program. Its exposure helped support domestic franchising and international expansion. During the late 2010s, the company pursued an ambitious growth strategy. It opened locations in Canada, expanded into several U.S. states, entered partnerships with Meijer and Hy-Vee, marketed frozen or fresh burger patties through supermarkets, and announced international plans involving Asia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. Some of those initiatives did not meet their original scale. The proposed Asian expansion did not proceed, the London restaurant closed during the COVID-19 period, and the Ramstein Air Base restaurant in Germany closed in 2022. The chain subsequently experienced significant contraction. Several restaurants closed during 2024, including locations associated with the Atlanta, Huntsville, and Indianapolis markets. In early 2025, the 79 locations connected to the Hy-Vee partnership closed, leaving approximately 32 restaurants globally according to the cited reference material. As of July 2025, remaining locations were reported in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with a small number of U.S. food trucks also operating. Wahlburgers therefore remains active, but at a substantially smaller footprint than during its rapid franchising phase.
History
Wahlburgers originated in Hingham, Massachusetts, where chef Paul Wahlberg already operated Alma Nove, a restaurant named after the brothers' mother and the family's nine children. In 2011, Paul, Donnie, and Mark Wahlberg became part of an equity group that licensed the Wahlburger name from Tom Wahl's for use in a new restaurant concept. The first Wahlburgers opened near Alma Nove and presented a family-centered burger-and-bar format. The concept attracted attention beyond its local restaurant audience because of the Wahlberg family's entertainment profile. A&E premiered the reality series Wahlburgers on January 22, 2014. The program followed the brothers, their mother, and the restaurant operation, helping establish the brand as a combination of casual dining and celebrity-led entertainment. It ran for ten seasons over roughly five years and earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program. Expansion began in Canada with a Toronto restaurant that opened in November 2014. The chain then pursued a broad franchising and partnership strategy in the United States. Locations were announced or opened in Florida, South Carolina, New York, California, Minnesota, Kansas, and other markets. A seasonal Coney Island restaurant operated in 2017 and 2018, while two Los Angeles restaurants opened in December 2017. The company also entered agreements with Meijer and Hy-Vee to place restaurants in or near grocery stores. A Hy-Vee deal ultimately became one of the brand's largest expansion programs, with 79 associated locations later reported to have closed in early 2025. Wahlburgers extended its offer through packaged food. In 2018, it announced supermarket distribution for a fresh burger-patty blend made from Angus brisket, chuck, and short rib. The product was to be distributed by ARKK Food in more than 1,300 stores. The brand also operated some food trucks, giving it a lower-capital format alongside full-service restaurants. International development produced mixed results. A 2017 joint venture proposed approximately 100 restaurants in China and surrounding Asian markets, but the plan did not proceed. The first United Kingdom restaurant opened in London's Covent Garden in May 2019, but it permanently closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 period. A restaurant opened at Ramstein Air Base in Germany in January 2020 and closed in December 2022. Australia became a later growth market, with Sydney opening in February 2022 and Surfers Paradise following later that year. New Zealand is included among the chain's reported operating markets, although specific location history is not detailed in the supplied material. The company entered a retrenchment phase in the 2020s. Multiple restaurants closed in 2024, including a location near Atlanta's Truist Park, and the brand withdrew from the Atlanta, Huntsville, and Indianapolis markets. The closure of the 79 Hy-Vee-associated locations in early 2025 reduced the system substantially. As of July 2025, the cited reference reported approximately 32 locations across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, together with a few U.S. food trucks. Wahlburgers remains active, but its current model is smaller and more selective than the rapid expansion strategy pursued during the late 2010s.
- 2025
Hy-Vee locations close
[1]The 79 locations tied to the Hy-Vee partnership close, substantially reducing the chain's footprint.
- 2022
Australian expansion begins
[1]The first Australian restaurant opens in Sydney, followed by a Surfers Paradise location later in the year.
- 2020
German location opens
[1]The first German Wahlburgers opens at Ramstein Air Base.
- 2019
First United Kingdom restaurant opens
[1]Wahlburgers opens in Covent Garden, London, as part of a planned British rollout.
- 2018
Retail patty distribution announced
[1]The brand begins plans to distribute its burger-patty blend through supermarkets.
- 2017
Asian joint-venture expansion announced
[1]Wahlburgers announces a proposed partnership targeting 100 restaurants in China and neighboring markets; the agreement later falls through.
- 2014
Wahlburgers television series debuts
[1]A&E premieres a reality series centered on the Wahlberg family and the restaurant business.
- 2014
Toronto location opens
[1]The chain enters Canada with a Toronto restaurant that opens in November after a soft launch earlier that month.
- 2011
First Wahlburgers restaurant opens
[1]Paul, Donnie, and Mark Wahlberg launch the first Wahlburgers in Hingham, Massachusetts, near Alma Nove.
Products and positioning
Celebrity-backed casual dining with chef-developed burgers, family branding, and a relaxed bar-and-grill experience.
Restaurant menu · 2011
Signature burgers
The core Wahlburgers offer consists of chef-developed burgers served in a casual restaurant setting. The menu has included beef burgers built around a blend of Angus brisket, chuck, and short rib, with multiple toppings and house preparations. Individual menu availability varies by location.
Restaurant menu · 2011
Sides and sandwiches
Typical supporting items include French fries, onion rings, salads, chicken sandwiches, and other casual-dining dishes. These products broaden the concept beyond a single burger format and support family and group dining.
Restaurant menu · 2011
Shakes and beverages
Milkshakes, soft drinks, beer, and cocktails have been part of the Wahlburgers restaurant experience, particularly at full-service locations with a bar component.
Packaged food · 2018
Retail burger patties
In 2018, Wahlburgers announced supermarket distribution for fresh burger patties made from an Angus brisket, chuck, and short-rib blend. ARKK Food was identified as the distributor for a rollout to more than 1,300 stores, including Shaw's.
Mobile food service
Food trucks
The company has also operated a limited number of U.S. food trucks, providing a mobile version of its burger menu alongside permanent restaurants.
Controversies
2019
Hy-Vee releases additional payment-card breach information
Hy-Vee provided additional information about a payment-card incident after detecting unauthorized activity on some payment processing systems. Its investigation identified malware designed to access payment-card data at certain fuel pumps, drive-thru coffee shops and restaurants. Hy-Vee said it removed the malware, implemented enhanced security measures and was notifying identifiable affected customers.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Hy-Vee restaurant and grocery expansion
United States
Wahlburgers partnered with Hy-Vee to develop restaurants and offer Wahlburgers food and beverages in selected in-store dining environments.
Outcome. The partnership ultimately included 79 locations, all of which were reported closed in early 2025.
- 2014Wahlburgers television series
United States
A&E used a reality program following the Wahlberg family and restaurant operation to expose audiences to the brand's food, personalities, and expansion story.
Outcome. The program ran for ten seasons and received an Emmy nomination, giving Wahlburgers sustained entertainment-driven visibility.
Brand decisions
2024
Retract from underperforming marketsStrategyBackground
The chain faced a series of location closures after a period of rapid domestic expansion.
Action taken
Wahlburgers closed multiple restaurants and withdrew from markets including Atlanta, Huntsville, and Indianapolis.
Aftermath
The contraction continued into 2025, when the Hy-Vee-associated locations closed and the reported system size fell to approximately 32 locations globally.
2018
Extend the burger brand into supermarketsProduct launchBackground
The company sought additional distribution beyond its restaurants and food trucks.
Action taken
Wahlburgers announced supermarket distribution of fresh patties made from an Angus brisket, chuck, and short-rib blend through ARKK Food.
Aftermath
The product was planned for more than 1,300 stores, although the supplied material does not establish its current retail status.
2018
Change the chief executiveOtherBackground
Wahlburgers announced a change in senior management during its franchising and retail expansion period.
Action taken
Rick Vanzura departed as CEO and John Fuller, formerly associated with Johnny Rockets and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, succeeded him.
Aftermath
The company continued its international and partnership-led expansion after the transition.
2017
Pursue Asian expansionStrategyBackground
Wahlburgers sought to accelerate international growth through a joint venture with Cachet Hospitality Group and Farooq Arjomand.
Action taken
The parties announced a plan targeting 100 restaurants in China and surrounding markets over five years.
Aftermath
The proposed deal later fell through and the planned rollout was not completed.
2011
Launch a Wahlberg-branded burger chainStrategyBackground
The Wahlberg brothers sought to build a restaurant concept around Paul Wahlberg's culinary role and the family's public profile.
Action taken
An equity group involving Paul, Donnie, and Mark licensed the Wahlburger name and opened the first restaurant in Hingham, Massachusetts.
Aftermath
The business developed into a franchised casual-dining chain and later a television and packaged-food brand.
Recent events
Reported
Wahlburgers announces stadium partnership with Bally's[4]
Wahlburgers announced that, through a new lease agreement with Bally's, it will be part of the new Athletics stadium under construction in Las Vegas.
Reported
Wahlburgers announces partnership with Boyd Gaming[4]
Wahlburgers announced a new partnership with Boyd Gaming that will bring Wahlburgers to The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Reported
Wahlburgers plans new locations with Bass Pro Shops[4]
Wahlburgers announced plans to open locations with Bass Pro Shops in Irvine, California, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, building on their existing relationship.
Reported
Wahlburgers announces further Home Depot outlet expansion[4]
Wahlburgers announced that its partnership with Home Depot would add outlets in Florida and expand into Nevada.
Reported
Wahlburgers announces planned expansion into Puerto Rico[4]
Wahlburgers announced that it expects to open one to two new locations in Puerto Rico; the openings were presented as a future plan, not as completed.
Reported
Wahlburgers and Acrimoto start Deliverator pilot[5]
Wahlburgers teamed up with Acrimoto on a pilot program to field-test the zero-emissions Deliverator, which kicked off in Key West, Florida, in August.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Wahlburgers permanently closes downtown Orlando restaurant[6]
The Wahlburgers restaurant in downtown Orlando permanently closed because of the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a statement attributed to its franchisee.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Wahlburgers leaves its OWA location[7]
Wahlburgers is leaving its restaurant location at OWA Amusement Park in Foley, Alabama.
Reported
Wahlburgers announces 8-cent burger promotion[8]
Wahlburgers announced an anniversary promotion offering its “Our Burger” for 8 cents on October 30 at its Hingham location. The offer is limited to one burger per Wahlclub guest and requires membership.
Hy-Vee releases additional payment-card breach information[3]
Hy-Vee provided additional information about a payment-card incident after detecting unauthorized activity on some payment processing systems. Its investigation identified malware designed to access payment-card data at certain fuel pumps, drive-thru coffee shops and restaurants. Hy-Vee said it removed the malware, implemented enhanced security measures and was notifying identifiable affected customers.
Sources8 sources
- 1Wahlburgersen.wikipedia.org
- 2Wahlburgers official websitewahlburgers.com
- 3Hy-Vee releases additional payment-card breach informationwoc1420.iheart.com
- 4Wahlburgers宣布与Bally's达成体育场合作prnewswire.com
- 5Wahlburgers 与 Acrimoto 启动 Deliverator 试点patch.com
- 6Wahlburgers永久关闭奥兰多市中心餐厅orlandosentinel.com
- 7Wahlburgers关闭OWA门店pnj.com
- 8Wahlburgers宣布推出8美分汉堡促销wcvb.com
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