Five Guys Burgers and Fries plans early October opening on South State Street in Ann Arbor

Five Guys Burgers and Fries, the latest addition to Ann Arbor’s gourmet burger scene, is expected to open in early October. An exact date won't be announced until a few days before, said Five Guys Spokesperson Molly Catalano.

The Ann Arbor Five Guys will be located at 311 S. State St., in the space once occupied by long-time independent bookseller Shaman Drum.

The lease for the space was finalized in June.

Now renovation of the 1,900-square-feet of space in under way, said Ralph Welton, chief development official with the city of Ann Arbor. The permit for the $180,000 renovation project was issued July 21, although there must be inspections and a certificate of occupancy issued before they can open, he said.

The Ann Arbor Five Guys will join seven others in Michigan and 662 nationwide. Five Guys is also opening restaurants in West Bloomfield and Livonia and Taylor-based BAC Holdings LLC own and have rights to all Five Guys locations in Michigan, Catalano said.

As a national chain, Five Guys has been expanding rapidly, opening more than 300 stores in five years. It is privately held. It offers a simple menu: Burgers with more than a dozen toppings, fries, hot dogs and Coca-Cola.

Five Guys is the latest chain to arrive in Ann Arbor as the national burger craze continues: @ burger, owned by Big Boy Restaurants, opened at 505 E. Liberty earlier this summer and the area’s second Red Robin Gourmet Burger opened near Briarwood in the spring. Other chains are reportedly looking for space.