FRANKLIN—Customers queued up to the counter and the drive-through window of the Franklin Burger King on Friday, the first day the restaurant was open for business since October.

Employees hustled to take orders from an enthusiastic lunchtime crowd. The line inside the restaurant was observed to be about 20 people long, and nine cars waited to place orders at the drive-thru window. Every table in the establishment was filled with customers.

“I’m so glad that they’re open,” said Patrice Jones of Franklin. “The food is good. I’ve been waiting a long time to see it reopen.”

The restaurant was forced to close on Oct. 24 because the previous owner could not pay the city’s meals tax. The restaurant is now owned and operated by Burger King Corp., which is based in Miami.

Lisa Drake and her daughter, Crystal Wicks, emerged from the restaurant with sandwiches and shakes.

“I missed the Whoppers,” Drake said. “I love their milkshakes, too.”

Drake and Wicks said they were in the restaurant for about 20 minutes to order and receive their food and described the service as “excellent.”

“They’re really, really busy right now,” Drake said.

Spring Harris said that it took her and her daughter, Zoey, about 30 minutes to get to the drive-through window.

“I got stuck in the middle of the road,” Harris said, describing the line for the drive-through. “It’s just one of those things. You didn’t miss it while it was here, but then it was gone for a long time and you missed it.”