Encore Enterprises: A Burger Spot in South Carolina with a Mission

What Encore Enterprises serves and why it matters

Encore Enterprises is a burger restaurant in South Carolina that operates as a social enterprise—meaning the business exists partly to serve its community beyond just selling food. The restaurant hires and trains people facing barriers to employment, including those with disabilities, criminal records, or unstable housing. You get a burger; the person making it gets a real job with wages and work experience.

The burgers themselves are made fresh to order, with quality beef and toppings you can see. But the real draw for many customers is knowing that their meal directly funds job training and employment pathways for people who might otherwise struggle to find work. It's the kind of place where the business model and the food are equally part of the story.

Key Takeaways

• Encore Enterprises operates as a social enterprise burger restaurant, meaning it combines food service with job training and employment support for people facing barriers to work.
• The restaurant hires individuals with disabilities, criminal records, or housing instability and provides wages, benefits, and real work experience.
• Menu items are made fresh to order, with customizable burgers, sides, and beverages typical of a full-service burger restaurant.
• Visiting Encore Enterprises means your spending directly supports employment programs and community economic development in South Carolina.

How the employment model works

Encore Enterprises doesn't just hire people—it structures the job as a training ground. New employees work alongside experienced staff, learning food preparation, customer service, cash handling, and workplace habits. The restaurant provides ongoing support, including coaching on showing up on time, managing conflict, and building confidence in a work setting.

Many employees move on to other jobs after gaining experience at Encore, taking those skills and that work history with them. Others stay longer and advance into supervisory or kitchen leadership roles. The point is that the job itself is the tool, not a placeholder. Wages are real, benefits are included, and the work counts on a resume.

Menu and ordering

Encore Enterprises operates as a full-service burger restaurant, so you can expect a standard burger menu with customizable options. Burgers are made to order, which means you can specify how you want yours built—toppings, cheese, sauce, the works. Most social enterprise restaurants of this type also offer sides like fries or onion rings, and beverages to round out the meal.

Because the focus is on training and employment rather than high-volume fast food, service may be a bit slower than a chain, but that's part of the model. You're eating in a place where the kitchen staff is learning, growing, and building a future. That intentionality shows in how the food is handled.

Location and hours

Encore Enterprises operates in South Carolina, though the specific location and hours vary. Before you visit, check the restaurant's current address and operating hours, as social enterprises sometimes adjust schedules based on staffing and training needs. Many are also closed on certain days to allow for staff meetings or training sessions.

If you're planning a visit, calling ahead is a good idea—it gives the team a heads-up and ensures someone is there to serve you. It also shows the restaurant that you're interested in what they're doing, which matters to mission-driven businesses.

Why people choose to eat here

Some customers come for the burger itself—it's made fresh, and the quality is there. Others come specifically because they want to support the mission. Many come for both reasons. There's a growing movement of people who see their spending as a form of investment in their community, and social enterprise restaurants like Encore fit that perfectly.

You're not making a donation or volunteering your time. You're buying lunch. But that lunch funds real jobs, real wages, and real pathways out of poverty or unemployment for people in your state. That alignment between what you want (good food) and what the business does (create opportunity) is why Encore Enterprises exists.

Other social enterprise restaurants in South Carolina

Encore Enterprises is part of a larger movement of social enterprise food businesses across South Carolina and the country. Some focus on job training for people with disabilities, others on formerly incarcerated individuals, and still others on youth or people experiencing homelessness. The model varies, but the core idea is the same: the restaurant is the training ground.

If you're interested in this approach to dining and community support, ask around—there may be other social enterprise restaurants or cafes in your area. Many are small, locally owned, and deeply rooted in their neighborhoods. Supporting them is one of the most direct ways to fund employment and dignity for people facing real barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know about the social enterprise mission to eat here?

No. Encore Enterprises is a regular restaurant—you walk in, order a burger, and eat. The mission is part of the story, but it's not required knowledge to have a meal. That said, many customers find it meaningful to know where their money goes.

Are the burgers more expensive because it's a social enterprise?

Prices may be slightly higher than a fast-food chain, but that's usually because the food is made fresh to order, not because of the employment model. Social enterprises often operate on thin margins and reinvest profits into their programs rather than taking them as owner income.

Can I bring a group or order for an event?

Many social enterprise restaurants accommodate group orders and catering, though you'll want to call ahead to discuss timing and logistics. Because the kitchen is also a training space, large orders may need advance notice so the team can prepare properly.

What if I want to support the mission beyond eating there?

Most social enterprises welcome volunteers, donors, and advocates. You can ask the staff about ways to get involved—whether that's volunteering in the kitchen, making a financial contribution, or simply telling others about the restaurant and what it does.