Former Burger King near MSU to be repurposed

A former Burger King property near Missouri State University is getting a new use after the eatery closed around a year ago.

Eve Metheny, vice president of marketing for Springfield-based restaurant franchisee Hamra Enterprises LLC, said a December opening is planned for a Wendy's restaurant at the 525. S. National Ave. property. Project costs were not disclosed.

A building permit on file with the city of Springfield lists Marshalltown, Iowa-based Wertzberger Architects PC as the design professional for the work.

The permit description states, in part: "No change to the exterior footprint. No major changes to site layout. New exterior and interior finishes."

Hamra Gateway LLC – organized with the Missouri secretary of state's office by Hamra Enterprises CEO Mike Hamra – purchased the South National property on May 14 from MO BK LLC, according to Greene County assessor and recorder data. The property is nearly 3,500 square feet.

Hamra Enterprises operates roughly 200 restaurants in around a dozen states under the Panera Bread, Wendy’s and Noodle & Co. brands, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.