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Five Guys Opens With Free Food

Tribune photo by JAY NOLAN

Jeff Mathieson, left, and Billy Dane enjoy a free bite to eat Monday during a 'Private Preview Party' at Five Guys at 777 North Ashley Drive in Tampa.

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By MICHAEL SASSO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 26, 2009

TAMPA - With seven restaurants already open in Hillsborough County, the local franchisee of Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries is expanding his burger empire to Houston and Columbus, Ohio.

Robert Dorfman, 58, of Tampa bought into the Five Guys chain three years ago and opened three restaurants in the county by himself. Sensing a hot concept, investors signed on and began partnering with Dorfman to open more locations around the county.

Today, he and his partners operate seven local stores, including one at the Skypoint condominium in downtown Tampa, which had a soft opening for friends, family and some downtown workers today. A line stretched out the new store's front door at 12:30 p.m. because Five Guys was serving up free food.

The restaurant opens to the public Tuesday and serves lunch and dinner.

Aside from the Tampa market, Dorfman has acquired the franchising rights for Columbus, where he has one store so far, and Houston, where he will open two stores by June. He hopes to continue expanding in all three markets, Dorfman said.

Parent company Five Guys Enterprises is based in Lorton, Va. The company offers a limited menu of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, fries and drinks. It boasts that it has no freezers in its stores and that everything is cooked fresh.

Reporter Michael Sasso can be reached at (813) 259-7865.

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