On the heels of Black History Month, Flatbush-born Rogers Burgers is entering a new chapter of growth — this time inside one of Brooklyn’s most historic cultural institutions.
The Caribbean-American burger brand has officially launched a residency at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) through the museum’s Culinary Residency Incubator Support Program (CRISP).
The move marks Rogers Burgers’ second operating location and first museum partnership, signaling steady expansion for a brand that began as a neighborhood concept rooted in Caribbean flavor and community identity.
For founders, Haitian-Americans Josue Pierre and Jonathan Pierre-Lafleur, the residency is less about scale for scale’s sake and more about strategic growth.
“Two of the biggest challenges small businesses face are access to capital and meaningful exposure,” co-founder Josue Pierre told Caribbean Life on Tuesday, March 3. “Programs like CRISP lower the barriers to entering new markets by connecting local entrepreneurs to thousands of families inside trusted cultural institutions.
“Rogers Burgers was built in Flatbush, and this residency allows us to grow sustainably while staying rooted in the community — the opening is just the start of what’s to come,” he added.
Operating Wednesday through Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Rogers Burgers is offering a curated, family-friendly menu tailored to museum visitors.
At the center is its best-selling Créole Burger — previously recognized by The New York Times and New York Magazine for its “bold Caribbean flavor profile” — alongside classic cheeseburgers, crispy chicken tenders with jerk sauce, a farm-fresh salad sourced from Flatbush markets, and kid-friendly options.
The expansion reflects the brand’s evolution from a neighborhood staple to a broader cultural presence.
Since launching in Flatbush, the Pierres said Rogers Burgers has built a loyal following by blending American comfort food with Caribbean seasoning, positioning itself at the intersection of food, identity, and representation.
“For us, this residency is about representation and access,” said co-founder Pierre-Lafleur. “The Brooklyn Children’s Museum has shaped Central Brooklyn families for over a century, and to be part of that, as a Caribbean-owned business, is more than boosting business.
“I’m honored that visitors can expect our bold and Caribbean culture-steeped food, like our signature Créole Burger, but also a story behind the brand that reflects the diversity and energy of Brooklyn,” he added.
Museum leadership views the partnership as mutually reinforcing.
“Brooklyn Children’s Museum is proud to welcome Rogers Burgers as the newest participant in our Culinary Residency Incubator Support Program,” said Atiba T. Edwards, BCM’s Vincentian-born president & CEO. “Just as BCM supports the development of children and families, CRISP extends that support to local entrepreneurs, allowing businesses like Rogers Burgers to grow and expand their reach.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to being both a cultural hub and an economic engine for Central Brooklyn,” he added.
As Rogers Burgers continues to expand, the Pierres said the residency represents “a model of community-centered growth — scaling visibility and opportunity without leaving behind the neighborhood that built the brand.”
