Bagger Dave's coming to Evansville | Business

Bagger Dave’s Legendary Burger Tavern, described by the company as "a unique, full-service, ultra-casual restaurant and bar concept", will be opening a restaurant in Evansville.

Based in Michigan where they currently have six corporately-owned locations, the company plans to open their first franchised location in Cape Girardeau, Mo., in March 2012. It's the first of six locations set to open over the next five years by business partners Bill Zellmer and Lonnie Griggs. Zellmer and Griggs currently operate six area-Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW) restaurants together.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Bagger Dave’s franchise system,” Zellmer said. “Choosing Bagger Dave’s for our next franchise opportunity was a no-brainer—the food and the atmosphere are dynamite, and it’s a concept we can be proud to say we’re a part of.”

Aside from the first restaurant slated to open in Cape Girardeau, new locations are planned for Carbondale, Ill., Paducah, Ky., Bowling Green, Ky., Evansville and Clarksville, Tenn.  There's no word yet on where the Evansville restaurant will be located.

The restaurants will feature full table service and a bar serving local craft beers and wine, and will dish up fresh premium beef-blend burgers on three different types of buns with a choice of Bagger Dave’s 30 Meaningless Free Toppings, letting patrons create their ownbeef, all-natural ground turkey, or veggie black bean burgers.

“We are looking forward to having the opportunity to play an active role in growing the Bagger Dave’s brand,” Griggs said. “We’re jumping into this at the very early stages—it’s exciting to be a part of something from the beginning.”

The Cape Girardeau location is one of up to 24 total locations—either corporately owned or franchised—that are planned to open over the next five years. Targeted markets for growth include Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Illinois.

In addition to premium burgers, the menu also features fresh-cut potato French fries using a Belgian fry process, Dave’s Sweet Potato Chips®, Amazingly Delicious Turkey Black Bean Chili® and Sloppy Dave’s BBQ, as well as sandwiches, salads and hand-dipped milkshakes.