Adler's is betting that its simple formula of burgers, fries and a smattering of small bites — such as fried cauliflower with a kick of heat — will resonate in a field already crowded with burger options in Polk. They envision a chain of up to six restaurants scattered throughout Central Florida.

DAVENPORT – Jeremiah Waters digs into a box of Idaho russets for the umpteenth time.

Placing an unpeeled spud into a commercial French fry cutter, he tugs hard on the cast iron handle and out shoots a handful of perfectly formed potato fingers. Waters will go through 200 pounds of potatoes a day.

This is his idea of heaven.

Waters and partners Wade and Jacki Walston own a Davenport hamburger restaurant called Adler’s. After roughly two years in business, things are booming, they said, enough to warrant a second location in downtown Winter Haven.

These young entrepreneurs — Waters is 31 and the Walstons are in their mid-30s — envision a chain of up to six restaurants scattered throughout Central Florida. They remain open to franchising their operation one day.

“You’ve got to be willing to jump and take chances,” said Jacki Walston, a graduate of the defunct Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.

Adler's is betting that its simple formula of burgers, fries and a smattering of small bites like fried cauliflower with a kick of heat will resonate in a field already crowded with burger options. The good news is that consumers still crave burgers and see them as a good value, according to Technomic’s 2017 Burger Consumer Trend Report.

Additionally, burgers continue to make Restaurant Business magazine’s annual ranking of the nation’s top 50 fastest-growing restaurant concepts. The publication’s 2018 ranking listed six concepts with burgers as a main draw, including chains like Wahlburgers, ranked No. 3, followed by Burger Lounge, Hopdaddy Burger Bar, Burger & Beer Joint and others.

Using data compiled by Technomic, the listing is based on restaurant concepts with annual sales between $20 million and $50 million.

Adler’s has a ways to go to play at that level of the game. But its founders see plenty of growth potential in Polk and throughout Central Florida.

Their second restaurant will be a walk-up version on the rear patio of Jensen’s Corner Bar, 100 Third St. SW.

It’s expected to be open by Sept. 1. Hours will be independent of the bar, so customers can grab a bite even when Jensen’s is closed.

“We’re excited about it,” said Jessie Skubna, co-owner of Jensen’s and the nearby Jessie’s Lounge, neither of which serve food. “We think they’re a perfect fit down here.”

Adler’s, named for the Walstons’ 3-year-old son, Sheriff Adler Walston, began life as a food truck that often stationed at craft breweries. It found a temporary home at Paddy Wagon Irish Pub in Davenport, where Waters and Wade Walston worked as bartenders. Their burgers proved a hit with bar patrons and eventually a brick-and-mortar Adler’s was opened adjacent to Paddy Wagon, which is at the north end of the Berry Town Center at U.S. 27 and Sand Mine Road.

The classic Adler burger is a straightforward patty of smashed-and-griddled beef on a challah bun from Cusano’s Baking Co. in Coconut Creek. The $8 sandwich sports fresh lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, pickle, mayo, ketchup and mustard. Upgrade with bacon for $1.

Other models include the Bad Hombre, which brings whiskey-flavored grilled onions to the party, along with cheddar and jalapenos; and the Twitty, topped with caramelized pineapple, bacon, cheese and mayo. You are invited to add a fried egg or fried macaroni and cheese to any burger for an additional charge.

On a recent weekday morning, the three partners busily prepared for the morning rush – Waters on potato duty; Wade Walston grilling bacon; his wife attending to other details inside the cozy storefront decorated in dark grays and black with dark brown woods and walls accented in white subway tiles.

Their Winter Haven walk-up will have an identical menu that includes a unique burger of the day.

Customer raves have elevated Adler’s status on Yelp, so much so that it recently was designated the best burger in Florida by BuzzFeed. The notoriety has been a boon to business, Wade Walston said. “It’s kind of a noteworthy thing.”

Eric Pera can be reached at eric.pera@theledger.com or 863-802-7528.