Wayback Burgers

Wayback Burgers is a Connecticut-based fast-casual franchise with a reputation for serving fresh burgers and thick, hand-dipped milkshakes. Founded in 1991 in Newark, DE, Wayback Burgers currently operates in 25 states with over 100 open locations nationally and has an additional 350 stores in development worldwide (33 in operation). Wayback Burgers is poised to have over 125 stores operating by years end.

Wayback Burgers began in 1991 as Jake’s Hamburgers with a single restaurant in Newark, DE which still occupies its original location on Route 273. Home to the University of Delaware, Newark is also known for its automotive plants (little known fact: reggae icon Bob Marley worked in one) and Main St. shopping district. A simple, unassuming “burger joint,” Jake’s soon became several stores and home to one of the region’s favorite burgers.

Jake’s Hamburgers had always served big, juicy hand-made burgers and real milkshakes, crafted to order by a friendly staff. Delivering the freshest, most delicious food possible was Jake’s only philosophy. Fast forward 20 years: many fast-food chains are selling some version of a “premium” burger. Most of these are just larger versions of their frozen “hockey-puck” burgers, mass-produced and shucked at customers from under heat lamps. Celebrity chefs got in on the act too, selling overpriced burgers for $20 at their upper-crust burger boutiques.

None of this felt right to the people at Jake’s. Burger lovers deserve better than that, and Jake’s wanted to remind people that they can still get a better burger, made just the way they like it, in a warm and comfortable restaurant that feels like home. That’s how they did it way back when, and that’s what they still do today.

So, in August 2010, Jake’s Hamburgers changed their name to Jake’s Wayback Burgers. They still serve the best burgers under the bun. Every month, Wayback Burgers features a brand new “Burger of the Month” and our “Shake of the Month.” And, burgers are only the beginning: House-made potato chips, all beef hot dogs, marinated chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers, specialty sandwiches and even fresh salads are available as well.

Wayback Burgers even has a brand new restaurant design to go along with our new name. Our warm red barnboard interior with white and stainless steel accents are modeled after the great American roadside burger joint (think Rt. 66, back before there was such a thing as fast food). Go ahead– put your elbows on our tables and enjoy your meal. You’ll be glad you came.