Despite the global pandemic, things have been moving in a positive direction for Stein 5, the franchise group that owns the Mayfaire location of Five Guys, as well as locations throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The group plans to open its 22nd location, in Leland, in about two weeks.

“We were very fortunate not to have to lay off any of our employees or have any permanent shut downs due to COVID,” said Lauren Steiner, marketing manager for Stein 5.

In fact, Stein 5 opened two new locations in the Charlotte area in 2020, as well as the company’s first unit with a mobile pickup window, which opened last year in Myrtle Beach. While not a traditional drive-thru, customers can place orders through the Five Guys mobile app and then drive up to the window for pickup.

This is a feature that the group will be looking at expanding in locations that lend themselves to it; however, the Leland location will not include a pickup window.

The Leland store has been a while in the making. The lease of the space, which is in new construction within the Waterford Village shopping center, was signed at the end of 2019, but as was the case for many throughout 2020, delays in construction pushed back the opening date significantly.

Steiner said the group is hiring for the Leland location and hopes to open it by Feb. 15.

The Leland restaurant will offer the Five Guys signature menu, featuring create-your-own burgers with any number of toppings, as well as handspun milkshakes with 20 mix-ins to choose from.

It will be similar in size and layout to the Five Guys at Mayfaire Community Center, with indoor and outdoor seating available, as well as online ordering via the mobile app.

“Our app makes it easy for our customers to get in and out quickly by storing their favorite orders and allowing them to pay online.” Steiner said. “We look forward to serving the Leland community.”

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