Burger restaurant Five Guys has opened its new restaurant in Ipswich for the first time.

The American chain - known internationally for its burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes -  has become fourth restaurant operating at Cardinal Park, joining Nando's, Subway and Ask Italian, after firms such as Frankie & Benny's vacated their units.

Plans for the American chain's second Suffolk branch were unveiled in September when jobs for the site, in the former Dough & Co at Cardinal Park, were listed on Indeed. 

Ipswich Star: The new Five Guys has opened in Cardinal Park.The new Five Guys has opened in Cardinal Park. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Ipswich Borough Council then received plans for the new restaurant, in the former Dough & Co at Cardinal Park, in October and work began transforming the site in November when railings were spotted outside. 

The planning application included replacing the shopfront with one that is more modern, including new doors for better access, two drinks stations, a pickup area, a condiments station, four toilets, including one disabled, and spaces for up to 72 guests.

Ipswich Star: The new Five Guys has opened in Cardinal Park.The new Five Guys has opened in Cardinal Park. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Outside, there are plans for a further 28 seats, bringing the total up to 100, as well as two branded umbrellas and branded breeze screens, in keeping with other units along Cardinal Park.

Ipswich Star: The new Five Guys has opened in Cardinal Park.The new Five Guys has opened in Cardinal Park. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Suffolk's other Five Guys restaurant can be found at the Fiveways roundabout at Barton Mills, near Mildenhall.

John Eckbert, CEO of Five Guys UK, said: "We're thrilled to be opening our thirteenth restaurant in the East of England and bringing our famous burgers to Ipswich.

"We pride ourselves on using only the freshest ingredients and offering a wide range of customisation options to suit every taste.

Ipswich Star: The new Five Guys has opened in Cardinal Park.The new Five Guys has opened in Cardinal Park. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

"We can't wait to welcome Ipswich residents and visitors to our new restaurant in February."

Community leaders said the opening of a new Five Guys site was "really positive" news for Cardinal Park.

This newspaper recently asked our readers which restaurant they would like to see open in Ipswich – and one of the most common answers was Five Guys