By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Jan 28, 2019 at 10:30 AM

Beginning this summer, Brookfield will have its very own Wahlburgers restaurant.

Hy-Vee, Inc. announced that it will open the first Wahlburgers restaurant franchise in Wisconsin on the northeast side of The Corners of Brookfield in early summer.

Wahlburgers is a franchise founded by Chef Paul Wahlberg and his brothers, actors Mark and Donnie. They established their first location in Hingham, Massachusetts. 

The restaurant feature a unique family friendly dining experience with a menu featuring burgers and entrees like crispy haddock, seared chicken and vegetarian options. Signature items include Mom’s Sloppy Joe, thin crispy onion rings, tater tots and a full bar featuring thick creamy adult frappes and floats along with Wahlbrewski – a Harpoon Brewery custom, unfiltered pale ale.

"Hy-Vee is excited to open its fourth Wahlburgers location, and to bring a new dining experience to Wisconsin," noted Randy Edeker, chairman of the board, CEO and president of Hy-Vee in a release. "Families will enjoy great food in a fun atmosphere, served with the excellent customer service and hospitality that Hy-Vee and Wahlburgers are known for."

Wahlburgers currently operates 29 locations in 19 states and Canada. In 2017, Hy-Vee announced that it plans to build, own and operate 26 Wahlburgers restaurants. Hy-Vee’s first three Wahlburgers locations opened in 2018 at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota; West Des Moines, Iowa; and Olathe, Kansas. Hy-Vee has also been a sponsor of the "Wahlburgers" reality TV series on the A&E network which chronicles the brothers and the restaurant franchise.

Robert Gould, vice president of U.S. operations for IM Properties – a developer of The Corners – said it is committed to offering an eclectic mix of cuisine options – from casual to fine dining.

"We’re thrilled to be chosen as the first Wahlburgers location in Wisconsin. Wahlburgers’ food and drink offerings and fun, upbeat environment make it the perfect addition to our tenant mix," adds Gould. "2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year for The Corners, and restaurants like Wahlburgers will continue to deliver our unique town center vision."

Beginning this summer, Wahlburgers will open daily for lunch and dinner offering full-service dining, counter service and take out.

The 6,000-square food restaurant will join a host of tenants at the shopping center including Anthony Vince Nail Spa, Anthropologie, Altar’d State, Arhaus, BelAir Cantina, Bonness, Café Hollander, CycleBar, DAVIDsTEA, Evereve, FreshFin Poké, francesca’s, Free People, Goddess & The Baker, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Improv, J. Jill, Kendra Scott, Lake Country Social, lululemon athletica, L.L.Bean, Orange Leaf, Paper Source, Scout and Molly’s, Sendik’s, Silverspot Cinema, Twigs, Von Maur and Wisconsin Vision.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.