Replacing the former Hangar Burger location at River Park is Brooks Burgers, which is expected to open mid-August. Photo by Edward Smith

The Hangar Burger restaurant at River Park is putting up its wings and reopening mid-August under a new name — one familiar with Central Valley residents.

July 4 was Hangar Burger’s last day and work is now underway to transform the former Fresno burger bar into Brooks Burgers, said Arman Asatrian, franchisee and partner for the River Park location. The hope is to open mid-August.

The Hangar opened in 2019, occupying the former World Sports Cafe location.

Burger bar coming to former World Sports Cafe space

 

Asatrian, who previously owned Hangar Burger, decided to make the change because of his relationship with restaurateurs Randy and Luke Brooks.

Randy owned and operated Cool Hand Luke’s and Huckleberry’s before selling the brands in 2016. He had gone into semi-retirement when his son Luke wanted to get into the business with his father as a mentor, Randy said. Luke had gone to school to be a chef. Then in late 2016, they started Brook’s Burgers in Pismo Beach. They wanted to begin growing and the concept attracted Asatrian.

Asatrian said he liked the family-oriented concept as well as the price point.

 

Randy and Luke come from a family of restaurateurs. Randy’s father, “Chic” Brooks founded Jeb’s Blueberry Hill, Country Waffles, Brooks Ranch and Perko’s.

Brook’s serves classic American fare with burgers, sandwiches, salads and milkshakes.

The beef is locally-sourced and grass-and-grain fed, Randy said. There are a variety of toppings, with many of the burgers available with fries and a drink in the $7 range. They have 1/3-pound “signature” burgers with ingredients such as fried eggs, bacon and more. They even have their own “chicken hottie,” akin to the Louisiana-style hot chicken sandwiches that have become popular.

Randy described the concept as “polished casual at a fast-casual pace.”

Randy hopes to have locations popping up throughout Fresno. Asatrian says he signed up with Brook’s Burgers in the hopes of being able to grow with the brand.

There’s interest for the franchise in Arizona, Randy said. Another location is slated for San Luis Obispo as well as a second for Pismo Beach.

“We have a concept that will sustain and move forward pretty well,” Randy said.