Royal Restaurant Group of West Palm Beach acquired 23 Jacksonville-area Burger Kings earlier this year, including the outlets in Starke, Middleburg, Baldwin, and Green Cove Springs.
The Jacksonville Daily Record first reported the acquisition. Royal Restaurant Group’s CEO, Robert Pianin, told the publication that his company does not typically own its locations’ real estate. It instead leases the facilities. TETK Management, LLC in New York, owns the Starke Burger King’s land and building.
One industry publication said that by the end of 2023, more than half of U.S. Burger Kings will have been converted to either the franchisor’s Garden Grill or Sizzle concepts. The Garden Grill, launched internationally in 2011, features large sofas, framed posters, soft colors, and decorative foliage. The newer Sizzle format includes kiosks and dedicated mobile pickup at drive-throughs.
The corporation has also phased out its King mascot and has returned to an upgraded version of its 1970s jingle: “Have it Your Way.” The new tagline is “You Rule.”
