By Zanub Saeed
Wahlburgers, founded by actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg with their brother Paul, named Rick Vanzura as Chief Executive Officer of their food branch, and who will lead to the expansion of the franchise in the coming years.
Wahlburgers, named after the Wahlberg family, including their mother and nine siblings, opened in October 2011 with its flagship store located in Hingham, Mass., just 15 miles south of their hometown of Boston, noted a press release issued by Wahlburgers on Tuesday.
"We hope to share a little bit of our childhood times with our guests," explains Paul Wahlberg for the press release. "Our family has had some humble beginnings and some amazing success, but at Wahlburgers, it's all about the food."
Vanzura was previously the Executive Vice President and co-Chief Operating Officer of Panera, LLC before being promoted to CEO of Wahlburgers, said the press release. Vanzura will set about spreading the store's name and brand across the United States with more franchise stores outside of the Boston area.
"I'm extremely impressed by the Wahlbergs' commitment to build a world-class concept offering extraordinary food," Vanzura was quoted as stating for the press release. "This is not just another celebrity-driven restaurant. Paul is an exceptional chef, and his commitment to quality shows up in the restaurant every day."
Wahlburgers' food items include fresh ground beef burgers apparently made from an exclusive blend of chuck, brisket, and short rib, listed the press release, as well as turkey and salmon burgers, all-beef hot dogs, crispy fries, onion rings, tater tots, ice cream frappes, house made desserts and much more. Liquor is also provided to customers over the age of 21 thanks to their full liquor service, and Wahlburgers sells adult frappes, cocktails and brews, including the store's own exclusive Wahlbrewski, an unfiltered Pale Ale made by Harpoon, said the press release.
"Mark and I are pleased to pair a proven executive like Rick with an outstanding chef like Paul to continue to develop Wahlburgers and grow our family business," said Donnie Wahlberg for the press release.
