Burger Republic has leased a 4,002-square-foot retail space at Fountains at Gateway, the new Class A office and retail development in Murfreesboro, announced developer Scott Graby, president of Hearthstone Properties.

Burger Republic is an original and "fiercely independent" concept specializing in gourmet burgers, American craft beers and hand-spun milkshakes.

The Nashville-based restaurant and bar concept will be located in an 11,000-square-foot retail building facing Medical Center Parkway, just inside the entrance to the Fountains development. The Fountains at Gateway store is slated to open in early 2017 and will be the fourth Burger Republic location in the Nashville area.

"We are a from-scratch kitchen with an unwavering commitment to quality in everything we do," said Drew Jackman, who partnered with another industry veteran, Jeff Warne, to create Burger Republic. "It's a thrill for us to expand and bring the goodness of Burger Republic to the 'Boro. Jeff and I chose Fountains at Gateway because it is going to be a premier destination in the Murfreesboro area, and we want to be a part of it."

Graby said his team targeted Burger Republic as a key retail tenant. "We hand-select and approach restaurants that will complement the urban, walkable district at Fountains as well as bring new brands to Murfreesboro," said Graby. "Burger Republic's incredibly popular, homegrown concept is an ideal fit. Their award-winning burgers and variety of other menu items will attract a regular customer base from neighboring businesses and the Murfreesboro community. We could not be more pleased that Drew and Jeff shared our excitement for the Fountains development and Murfreesboro and selected Fountains as the fourth location for their growing brand."