WILMINGTON — A popular Chapel Hill burger joint that was founded in 2013 is making way for another location in the state. Al’s Burger Shack will be opening at the new Center Point development at the corner of Eastwood and Military Cutoff roads.
“I grew up going to Wrightsville Beach and lived on this side of town for a long time. So it means a lot to me to be able to bring something like Al’s to the neighborhood,” co-owner Jason Kesler said.
Kesler and Charlie Farris, both who attended UNC Chapel Hill and own Jersey Mike’s franchises, bought Al’s restaurants from founder Al Bowers. They expanded to southeastern North Carolina in 2024 with a Leland location. At the time, Kesler told Port City Daily an Al’s would be in Wilmington’s future.
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He said Tuesday that Wilmington’s location will be slightly larger than Leland. Al’s Burger Shack will be located 1111 Center Point Drive, Suite 131, and have an outdoor patio. Also announced for Center Point commercial development so far is Jeff’s Bagel Run.
“We hope the parking will be better,” Kesler said, noting Al’s Burger Shack hopes “to start construction by end of year and open in April next year.”
Choosing the location was rather easy as Kesler said it’s a busy part of Wilmington and has road-front visibility; Military Cutoff Road ushers anywhere from 40,000 to 75,000 vehicles daily.
The restaurant is known best for its burgers — hand-pattied, made from ground chuck, with just enough fat and lean meat combination to create a juicy bite, and cooked to the customer’s chosen temperature. Al’s has scored Best Burger in America by Trip Advisor in 2018, multiple Best Of awards in the Triangle area and in 2025 won Port City Taste Burger Week competition (hosted by Port City Daily, The Dude and The Penguin annually) in southeast N.C. Chowhound also ranked it among the best burgers statewide in 2025.
The Center Point location will have the same menu — burgers, dogs, and sandwiches, hot and fresh rosemary sea salt French fries, tots, or sweet potato fries. Al’s also sells cold beer and shakes, and has numerous homemade dipping sauces and toppings. Their bacon-onion jam, Cheerwine BBQ sauce and Sriracha aioli have become hits.
“We wanted to get into the market on that side of town and think this new development is going to be awesome,” Kesler said, noting the success of Leland as well.
The restaurant has hundreds of tickets daily, with Chapel Hill locations often crazy busy during the fall and football weekends.
“It’s really an institution up there,” Kesler said. “There’s a line out the door there every football Saturday.”
Wilmington will be the sixth location, as the restaurant has expanded into Apex and Summerville, S.C., as well, and currently is assessing operations in Durham and Hillsborough. Kesler said he has hopes to go into the south side of Wilmington and the northern area of Porters Neck, as well as potentially Southport in Brunswick County.
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