Kraze Burgers says the multi-year construction project on Bethesda and Woodmont Avenues across from Barnes and Noble has reduced foot traffic around the Row, and that store sales ultimately dropped by 50%. Several businesses have previously complained about the impact of the project on parking and sales traffic. In contrast, Kraze Burgers says its new stores at Westfield Montgomery Mall and Tysons Galleria "did outstanding numbers last month."
The company is proceeding with rapid expansion plans. They have recently signed leases at BWI Marshall Airport, in NoMa in the District, and in Herndon. Kraze is in negotiations with several other retail centers and airports in the region, a spokesperson said yesterday.
One additional piece of news, is that the company expects its Kraze Bethesda, LLC bankruptcy case to be dismissed in the coming weeks. That entity is separate from the rest of the Kraze Burgers company. The landowner of the former Kraze Burgers space is not Federal Realty, and the building is not technically part of the Bethesda Row development.
If you have a Groupon left over from the Bethesda Row location, Kraze says you can redeem it at other locations, which also include Lansdowne, Germantown and Barracks Row. The spokesperson said Kraze Burgers has seen a spike in customers across all locations through the Groupon promotion.
