Fatburger Opens First Jacksonville-Area Restaurant in Orange Park, Marking Northeast Florida Expansion Plans
First Northeast Florida location set for Orange Park
Fatburger, a California-based burger chain that began in Los Angeles in 1947, has opened its first restaurant in the Jacksonville metropolitan area with a new location in Orange Park. The restaurant is located at 348 Blanding Blvd., in the former Dairy Queen building north of Kingsley Avenue.
The company scheduled the Orange Park restaurant to begin serving customers on March 9, 2026. A grand-opening event is planned to start at 10 a.m. on March 14, 2026, featuring promotional giveaways that include free burgers for the first 100 customers and free fries with a purchase during the celebration.
Jobs, hours, and the role of franchising
The Orange Park launch is being positioned as a significant operational addition for the area. Company announcements associated with the opening state the restaurant is expected to employ about 100 people. The Orange Park unit is also being marketed as Florida’s first 24-hour Fatburger, reflecting a strategy to compete for late-night and around-the-clock dining demand along a major commercial corridor in Clay County.
The Jacksonville-area entry is tied to a broader franchising initiative led in Florida by Whole Factor Inc., an existing Fatburger franchisee. A development agreement announced in 2025 outlines plans to open 40 additional Fatburger locations across Florida over a 10-year period, including further growth in the Jacksonville market.
How the Orange Park opening fits into Florida growth
Before Orange Park, Fatburger’s Florida footprint consisted of two restaurants: one in Riverview (Tampa Bay area) and another in Celebration (near Orlando). A fourth Florida location has been discussed for Rockledge on the Space Coast, with expectations stated publicly that it would open within 2026.
For Northeast Florida, the long-range development plan includes at least four more restaurants in the Jacksonville market beyond Orange Park. Timelines and specific sites for additional locations have not been finalized publicly, and opening schedules may depend on real estate, permitting, construction timelines, and franchise rollout capacity.
Menu positioning and concept format in Orange Park
Fatburger’s brand identity centers on cooked-to-order burgers and customization. The company highlights optional toppings that go beyond standard offerings, including bacon, eggs, chili, and onion rings. In Florida and elsewhere, the menu commonly also includes fries, onion rings, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, and plant-based options.
Some Fatburger restaurants operate alongside co-branded concepts within the same building. For Orange Park, company representatives have indicated that Buffalo’s Express will not be part of this particular restaurant.
Address: 348 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park
Opening date: March 9, 2026
Grand opening: March 14, 2026 (10 a.m. start)
The Orange Park restaurant is the first Fatburger location to open in Northeast Florida and is part of a statewide 10-year expansion plan.