Burger King Shutters Doors

The Burger King recently involved with the city and has closed its doors.

As of Sept. 8, all signs and Burger King logos have been taken down and a short and sweet, printed note has been placed on doors and windows:

"Thank you for your business over the years," the note reads. "Sorry that we have closed down."

Richfield Patch contacted Dolphin Fast Food Inc. for details on its decision to close, however, its call was not returned by the time this article was published.

Given recent happenings, the shutdown may be the result of a recent dispute surrounding the Menards redevelopment.

Burger King owner Greg Dolphin (of Dolphin Fast Food Inc.), the property owners and their legal representation asked the Richfield City Council to stall the project. At that time Burger King proposed that the Menards redevelopment include moving the fast food restaurant to the northwest corner of the property. early in the design process, however, when a deal couldn't be reached Menards moved on.

Burger King reps claimed the new Menards store would be detrimental to the business, and would likely result in the restaurant closing. Burger King also threatened legal action if the council went ahead with the project. While a good case was made, the city council gave Menards its final stamp of approval that December night.

and Richfield Community Development Director John Stark told city officials in late-April 2012 he felt the city would come out on top.

“We took photos. You couldn’t see the restaurant before [from Nicollet Avenue], and you won’t see it after," Stark said in April. "No change.”

Stark told Patch Monday the lawsuit fizzled out a couple months ago when the owners of both the land and the restaurant itself found they didn't have a solid case to move forward.

Richfield Patch will update readers if Dolphin Fast Food Inc. responds with a comment.

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