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FAST FOOD Five Guys is coming to Medford ... probably The burger franchise is looking at two local sites, first could open next summer Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 30, 2015 at 3:11 PM Updated Oct 30, 2015 at 4:24 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 30, 2015 at 3:11 PM Updated Oct 30, 2015 at 4:24 PM » Social News Mel Garges can only shake his head as he reviews the litany of rumors associated with the coming of Five Guys Burgers and Fries to Medford. It's not like the territorial franchise holder hasn't wanted to stick a pin in the corporate locator map, it just seemed something always went sideways before he could sign on the dotted line. So you can understand why the Eugene contractor has his fingers crossed, even with a signed letter of intent to open a Five Guys in the Southgate Center across from the Walmart Superstore. "My partner sent me a link to the deal on TV news, and I kind of laughed, because it said we were going there for sure," Garges said. "It's not 100 percent, but I'd say it's probably 90 percent. If all goes well, we're hoping to open next summer." Since obtaining territorial rights in 2010 from Virginia-based Five Guys along the Interstate-5 corridor south of Albany and in Central Oregon, Garges has desired to put a store in Medford. It hasn't been easy. "Originally, we were supposed to go where Chipolte is (in Northgate Marketplace), but due to some issues that were surprising to us, we didn't end up going there. We actually had a verbal deal." Then, as if there wasn't enough disappointment to go around, negotiations for a nearby spot on an island between Court Street and North Riverside Avenue fell through. "Word got out we were negotiating for where Verizon is now, but we never signed anything. People are premature about these things. You go in to talk to somebody about buying or leasing space, and the next thing you know, they're telling the media and everybody." Now, it's a matter of moving forward and getting the shared commercial building through the planning process. "I'm dedicated to opening as soon as we can," Garges said. "There was available property, and we found a developer we felt we could work with." Garges isn't too bothered that In-N-Out beat Five Guys to the Medford market. "In this business we're both referred to as having a cult following," he said. "Whenever there is a new store opening, there is kind of a honeymoon period. Once that settles down, then you figure out what your true business is going to be." Hamburgers have been a staple for generations, with regional chains followed by national chains cropping up everywhere during the post-World War II expansion. "Personally, I think it's like apple pie," Garges said. "Our No. 1 clientele is young men who come in and order a double-bacon cheeseburger. What separates us from other people is that we don't have a freezer on the site. Everything is prepped that day, and what's left over is thrown away." Even before the first Medford location comes to fruition, Garges is seeking another site on the north end of town. It's part of plan to reach the Five Guys minimum of six stores. The first two were built in the Eugene area and one is going up in Bend. Garges and his wife, Pamela, are partnering with Daniel and Kristy Zakour in the operation. Garges has been in construction for 40 years, including the past 27 in Eugene, where he operates Gemstone Builders. "After being in construction all of our lives, my wife and I were looking for something that wasn't so demanding," he said. "We thought a restaurant franchise would be more or less employee-run; how wrong I was." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31, and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge . By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 30, 2015 at 3:11 PM Updated Oct 30, 2015 at 4:24 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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