MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes Brings the Beef to Round Rock, Texas

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes will be opening in Round Rock, Texas on July 14, managed by multi-unit MOOYAH restaurant owner Jeff Kullman, and his sons Jason and Josh.
Located at 200 University Blvd, Suite 400 – this is the Kullman family’s fourth location, and their opening marks the 37^th location in the state of Texas. Jeff and his two sons opened their first MOOYAH restaurant in Flower Mound, Texas in 2010, followed by locations in Southlake and Plano in 2011 and 2013, respectively.
“It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come. We initially decided to join MOOYAH after looking at everything they had to offer; it was a simple model that held a lot of value,” Jeff Kullman said. “We were also very impressed by their exceptional Guest service, and frankly the product is delicious.”
Prior to joining the MOOYAH brand, Jeff decided to end his 27-year tenure in the home-building industry and left his position as division president at Kimball Hill in 2009. When the Kullmans began considering business opportunities, Jason came across MOOYAH in an article, which sparked the family to pursue the customizable burger brand.
The family’s success with the brand has been acknowledged since their first opening. The trio has previously been recognized as Franchisees of the Year in 2011 by MOOYAH corporate, and most recently, Operators of the Year in 2014. Their ultimate goal is to open two more locations within the next four years.
“As a brand that was founded in Dallas, it’s exciting to see that there is ongoing demand for MOOYAH in our home state. We have been able to achieve this loyal following thanks to our team of local entrepreneurs that continue to uphold MOOYAH’s commitment to quality food and service,” said Michael Mabry, Vice President of Operations and Franchise Development for MOOYAH. “We’re fortunate to have representatives such as the Kullman family serve more communities across Texas.”
MOOYAH has plans to continue its sustained expansion, and predicts the brand will add over 1,000 jobs to local communities through its restaurant openings in 2014.

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MOOYAH Opens in Morgan Hill, CA

  

When Terry and Brit Ratto purchased Santa Clara County franchise rights for Texas-based custom burger joint MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, the local couple was determined to open their first location in Morgan Hill.

However, convincing the lone star state big wigs at corporate headquarters that South County’s quaint, up-and-coming hamlet was the right spot was no easy task.

“I thought it was absolutely perfect for the community because there’s a real need for it,” said Terry, sitting at a table alongside his wife inside the nearly completed MOOYAH restaurant located at 255 Vineyard Town Center. “Morgan Hill has some really nice restaurants and then fast food chains, but there’s not a lot of options in between.”

The Rattos—who fell in love with Morgan Hill after moving south from Los Altos more than three years ago—will open the doors to their very first MOOYAH locale with a July 14 grand opening. The restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

“We love this community,” said Brit, a self-proclaimed gym rat who was turned on by MOOYAH’s healthier options of turkey and black-bean veggie burgers along with a variety of salads. “This is a great community. We love it, so we were adamant about opening our first one here.”

The Rattos were so “bound and determined” that they put together a presentation—which included a Google image aerial view of Morgan Hill and the surrounding area—and then flew to Dallas, Texas to convince their corporate partners.

They were given the go-ahead in August 2013 and signed their lease four months later at the 2,100-square-foot site located next door to Starbucks Coffee Company. Terry—who worked the previous 25 years as a commercial general contractor—acquired the proper building and health permits, and they started “Mooooooving in,” as the sign on their storefront reads.

“We’re starting to get more excited each day,” said Terry, an horse-lover who owns nine competition cutting horses at his home that includes a small acreage off Watsonville Road. “Two weeks ago, we were more nervous than excited. But people keep stopping by asking when we’re going to open.”

After opening the Morgan Hill store—where they have employed a local crew of 35 workers—the Rattos plan to open a second MOOYAH restaurant in Los Gatos by December and then a third location in South San Jose.

“We really wanted to hire locally. We’ve got a great crew of young adults,” said Brit, who first had to eat at MOOYAH before allowing her family, which includes four children and six grandchildren, to be part of the franchise. “It had to be a restaurant that I would eat at.”

Brit’s favorite is the veggie burger on a wheat bun (freshly baked daily) with lettuce, tomato and MOOYAH sauce, while Terry’s preference lies in a MOOYAH burger with Pepperjack Applewood Bacon, MOOYAH sauce, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos and fried onion strings as well as a side of sweet potato fries.

“Nothing is pre-made. Everything is made to order,” said Terry, describing MOOYAH as a custom-burger place that provides a fast-casual, family-friendly experience. “Even the french fries, nothing stays more than two minutes.”

MOOYAH, which has its own satellite radio station and short-circuit television channel inside all its locations, welcomes its younger patrons to draw with colored chalk on a “Moodle Doodle Board” while parents wait for their meals. There is a MOOYAH smart phone app and customers can place orders online for pick-up.

The franchise, which opened in Plano, Texas in 2007 and now has close to 60 restaurants, is also known for its 100 percent real ice cream shakes that come in a variety of flavors, including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, M&Ms, Cookie Dough and Strawberry Banana.

“We strive that this is going to be a great experience for you as a guest and for the people who work here,” said Terry, who also invested in a five-star San Francisco restaurant called Spruce. “We researched different businesses and about a dozen franchises before we visited a MOOYAH in Texas and decided that it was the business for us.”

Scott Forstner is a general assignment reporter who covers education and other community issues for the Morgan Hill Times. Reach him at (408) 847-7158 or via email at sforstner@morganhilltimes.com

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes Finishes Year Strong with Impressive Growth in 2013; Opens 16 Restaurants Globally

Customizable Burger Franchise Brand Heats Up “Better Burger” Industry with a Goal of 44 Openings in 2014 

With consistent growth in 2013, MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes (MOOYAH) is prepared to achieve another series of milestones in 2014, eyeing the opening of more than 40 restaurants by year-end. In fact, throughout the past year, MOOYAH opened 14 new restaurants in the United States, while also awarding another two units internationally.

“Our success in 2013 is due in part to a passionate and ambitious team of multi-unit franchisees who continue to build enthusiasm and momentum for the MOOYAH brand,” said President and CEO Rich Hicks. “In order to continue propelling our brand forward throughout 2014, we are looking for prospective operators that possess the experience and enthusiasm necessary for long-term growth with MOOYAH.”

MOOYAH certainly has reason to celebrate. In 2013, the fast-casual “better burger” brand opened a total of 16 restaurants, including 14 in the U.S. and two in Dubai and Bahrain. Furthermore, MOOYAH signed 26 deals in the last year, representing a total of 49 units planned to open.

“MOOYAH’s goal for 2014 is to achieve strategic and international growth, whether developing in existing markets with high demand, or introducing the MOOYAH experience to new territories,” said Vice President of Franchise Development and Operations Michael Mabry. “This twofold strategy, coupled with an exceptional product, will allow MOOYAH to truly assert ourselves as the leader in the competitive burger segment.”

Not only was the 55-plus-unit chain named in USA Today’s Top 50 Franchises for Military Veterans in June 2013, but MOOYAH also earned a No. 8 ranking in Fast Casual Magazine’s annual rankings of the Top 100 Movers & Shakers.

“The dedication of our entire system is responsible for the national recognition we received in 2013,” said Hicks. “We depend on the passion and loyalty of both international and domestic franchisees to continue setting a precedent for MOOYAH as a leader in the  ‘better burger’ segment.”

Reflecting on 2013 alone, MOOYAH has plans to continue its sustained expansion, already predicting that the brand will add over 1,000 jobs to local communities through its restaurant openings in 2014. MOOYAH shows no signs of slowing down and aims to deliver a simple American classic that’s not only made well, but produced in a friendly and comfortable environment to new and fresh markets in the future.

ABOUT MOOYAH BURGERS, FRIES & SHAKES

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes is a fast-casual, “better burger” concept serving mouth-watering made-to-order burgers, hand-cut French fries made from high-quality Idaho potatoes, and handcrafted 100-percent ice cream shakes. Founded in 2007, the Plano, Texas-based company only uses fresh, American lean beef and all-natural Jennie-O® turkey burgers, buns baked in house, real cheeses and toppings made from garden-fresh ingredients. It offers online ordering, and a cookout trailer for corporate, social and fundraising events. In 2014, MOOYAH was named No. 314 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of the top 500 franchise brands, moving up from No. 357 in 2013. MOOYAH was also ranked 1st overall in Restaurant Business’s Future 50 list and was listed as No. 8 in Fast Casual Magazine’s annual Top 100 Movers & Shakers in 2013, a list they have been at the top of for several years in a row.  In 2013, the brand was named “best burger” in its hometown by DallasChild and NorthTexasChild magazines. In the same year, MOOYAH received recognition in USA Today’s Top 50 Franchises for Military Veterans. For more information on MOOYAH, its menu or franchising opportunities, please visit www.mooyah.com. Follow MOOYAH on Twitter @MooyahBurger and connect with MOOYAH on Facebook Fan page.

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MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes to Open Four Restaurants in the Milwaukee Area

Customizable Burger Franchise Targets Milwaukee County and Waukesha Counties as Key Development Focuses

Burger enthusiasts in Milwaukee, Wisc. can look forward to having something new to drool over in 2014 and beyond, as MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, a fast-casual, “better burger” chain, will open in Brookfield, Wisc. by the summer of 2014, with three additional restaurants opening every nine months thereafter. The brand’s recent expansion comes as a result of the signing of franchisee Punit Jaiswal, who is looking for restaurants primarily in Milwaukee County and Waukesha County. With the addition of Jaiswal to the MOOYAH family, the brand is looking forward to establishing a presence in Wisconsin, and to bringing a delicious dining experience to families, friends and neighbors.

“I believe MOOYAH will be incredibly successful, especially here in Wisconsin. We’re the cheese state, and everyone here loves burgers,” Jaiswal said. “When I first ate the food in Dallas, I thought it was phenomenal. When you combine that with an environment that’s completely different than that of other burger joints, the MOOYAH experience becomes exceptional. My three children can’t get enough of it, so I can’t wait to be able to take them to our restaurants when they open.”

Jaiswal brings quite the entrepreneurial spirit to his new business. After moving to the U.S. from India at the age of 17, he supported his family by working as a waiter while also taking on night shifts at a local gas station. He was unable to finish college due to the long hours he was working at this time, but that didn’t stop him from becoming successful. Jaiswal worked at a bank as a mortgage servicer for more than seven years before opening his first Subway franchise eight years ago. To this day, he has opened 10 Subway locations across the greater Milwaukee area, in addition to the gas station and liquor store he owns. He’s thrilled to bring everything he’s learned as a business owner to his four upcoming MOOYAH restaurants.

MOOYAH is initially focused on opening a flagship restaurant in Brookfield, prior to expanding in the surrounding areas under the direction of MOOYAH development agents Ardag Tachian and Scott Adams. This development strategy was first established in the Dallas - Fort Worth DMA, in which MOOYAH boasts 24 restaurants.

At MOOYAH, customization is king. Guests have the advantage of choosing from a variety of bread options, such as freshly baked white or wheat buns and hand-crafted lettuce wraps to accompany either the never-frozen 100 percent American beef patty, Jennie-O turkey patty or the mouthwatering veggie burger. Each gourmet burger creation comes with a selection of unlimited veggies and a choice of nine delicious sauces.

MOOYAH French fries come together in a six-step process that takes a total of 24 hours to completely prepare. A delightful combination of constant attention and a little magic help transform U.S. #1 Idaho potatoes into perfect, crisp-on-the-outside and fluffy-on-the-inside fries. Never one to forget dessert, MOOYAH offers handcrafted shakes, allowing Guests to choose from classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate, or opt to make their own creations with toppings such as cookie dough, peanut butter cups and more.

“The burger segment is seeing a huge rise in popularity in Wisconsin, so there isn’t a better time than now to increase our presence in the state,” said Michael Mabry, Vice President of Operations and Franchise Development for MOOYAH. “MOOYAH’s commitment to freshness, an excellent experience, superb Guest service and better-for-you options like our Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burger, Iceburger, and our Under 600 Calories menu make it a wonderful fit for the market.”

Seeing incredible growth in 2012 alone, MOOYAH continues its unending expansion, already awarding an additional 46 units nationally and internationally in the first three quarters of 2013, with plans to provide 400 jobs to local communities by year-end. The brand shows no signs of slowing down and aims to deliver a simple American classic that’s not only made well, but produced in a friendly and comfortable environment to new and fresh markets in the future. MOOYAH is currently focusing its expansion efforts in California, Florida and the Northeast.

For franchising opportunities in Milwaukee, please contact Ardag Tachian and Scott Adams via email at atachian(at)mooyah(dot)com and sadams(at)mooyah(dot)com.

ABOUT MOOYAH BURGERS, FRIES & SHAKES
MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes is a fast-casual, “better burger” concept serving mouth-watering made-to-order burgers, hand-cut French fries made from high-quality Idaho potatoes, and handcrafted 100-percent ice cream shakes. Founded in 2007, the Plano, Texas-based company only uses fresh, American lean beef and all-natural Jennie-O® turkey burgers, buns baked in house, real cheeses and toppings made from garden-fresh ingredients. It offers online ordering, and a cookout trailer for corporate, social and fundraising events. MOOYAH has been ranked 1st overall in Restaurant Business’s 2013 Future 50 list, listed as No. 8 in Fast Casual Magazine’s annual Top 100 Movers & Shakers in 2013, a list they have been at the top of for several years in a row, and BurgerBusiness included MOOYAH in its list of “11 Burger Chains to Watch in 2011.” In 2013, the brand was named “best burger” in its hometown by DallasChild and NorthTexasChild magazines. In the same year, MOOYAH received recognition in USA Today’s Top 50 Franchises for Military Veterans. For more information on MOOYAH, its menu or franchising opportunities, please visit http://www.mooyah.com. Follow MOOYAH on Twitter @MooyahBurger and connect with MOOYAH on Facebook Fan page.

Dallas Families: MOOYAH Is Not Just a “Better Burger” Restaurant — It’s the “Best Burger”

DallasChild and NorthTexasChild Magazines Name MOOYAH “Best Burger” in 2013 Best for Families Issues

The votes have been tallied and the families have spoken: for the second year in a row, MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes (MOOYAH), a fast-casual, “better burger” fries and shakes concept, has been voted “Best Burger” by the readers of DallasChild and NorthTexasChild magazines. MOOYAH’s superlative will be featured in the annual Best for Families issue of the magazines when they hit newsstands on Nov. 25, 2013.

With 24 restaurants in the Dallas- Forth Worth DMA, families can easily find a neighboring restaurant to sample what these publications are calling one of the best burger options for families in the region.

“We’re thrilled and honored to be named the best burger for Dallas families,” said Natalie Anderson, Senior Brand Manager for MOOYAH. “The MOOYAH experience is all about pleasing our Guests with great food and excellent service, so consistently getting this type of recognition in our home state of Texas is really exciting for all of us at MOOYAH.”

MOOYAH was also named “Tastiest Local Burger” in the magazines’ Best for Families 2012 issue, and with a heavy focus on customization and family-friendly fare, it’s easy to see why. At MOOYAH, customization is king. MOOYAH has enough create-your-own menu options that cater to the whole family. For kids, MOOYAH can whip up their classic never frozen 100 percent American beef patty in a junior size. For picky eaters, the chicken strips and the grilled cheese on homemade bread are both sure to please.

However, MOOYAH is not just a great lunch or dinner option for the kids — their menu will also satisfy parents. Health-minded moms and dads can substitute beef for a Jennie-O turkey patty or a mouthwatering veggie burger, or choose to forgo the freshly baked bun and instead opt for the iceburger using lettuce wrap to get an under-600 calorie meal. No matter the order, each gourmet burger creation comes with a selection of unlimited veggies and a choice of nine delicious sauces.

The brand’s French fries come together in a six-step process that takes a total of 24 hours to completely prepare. A delightful combination of constant attention and a little magic help transform U.S. #1 Idaho potatoes into perfect, crisp-on-the-outside and fluffy-on-the-inside fries. Never one to forget dessert, MOOYAH also offers handcrafted shakes, allowing Guests to choose from classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate, or opt to make their own creations with toppings such as cookie dough, peanut butter cups and more.

“We’re proud to have raised the bar set by typical fast-food burger joints by continuing to push ourselves forward into new ‘better burger’ territory with more options for more people,” Anderson said. “With that being said, we also strive to stay true to our foundation: providing burgers, fries and shakes the way our Guests want them. We hope to continue being the Dallas-Fort Worth’s go-to restaurant for these staples.”

Seeing incredible growth in 2012 alone, MOOYAH has continued its expansion, already awarding an additional 46 units nationally and internationally in the first three quarters of 2013, with plans to provide 400 jobs to local communities by year-end. The brand shows no signs of slowing down and aims to deliver a simple American classic that’s not only made well, but also produced in a friendly and comfortable environment to fresh markets in the future. MOOYAH is continuing to develop new restaurants in Texas in addition to its national expansion plans.

For more information on MOOYAH’s “Best Burger” award, visit DallasChild’s and NorthTexasChild’s Best for Families list online or in the December editions of the print magazines.

About Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes is a fast-casual, “better burger” concept serving mouth-watering made-to-order burgers, hand-cut French fries made from high-quality Idaho potatoes, and handcrafted 100-percent ice cream shakes. Founded in 2007, the Plano, Texas-based company only uses fresh, American lean beef and all-natural Jennie-O® turkey burgers, buns baked in house, real cheeses and toppings made from garden-fresh ingredients. It offers online ordering, and a cookout trailer for corporate, social and fundraising events. MOOYAH has been ranked 1st overall in Restaurant Business’s 2013 Future 50 list, listed as No. 8 in Fast Casual Magazine’s annual Top 100 Movers & Shakers in 2013, a list they have been at the top of for several years in a row, and BurgerBusiness included MOOYAH in its list of “11 Burger Chains to Watch in 2011.” The brand was also recognized in USA Today’s Top 50 Franchises for Military Veterans in June of 2013. For more information on MOOYAH, its menu or franchising opportunities, please visit http://www.mooyah.com. Follow MOOYAH on Twitter @MooyahBurger and connect with MOOYAH on Facebook Fan page.

MOOYAH featured in The Baytown Sun

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes was featured this week in The Baytown Sun for a local market fundraiser that they hosted in honor of a 16-year-old student of Ross S. Sterling High School that was killed in a tragic car accident in 2012. Owners of the Baytown MOOYAH, Chris and Michelle Payne, decided to donate 25% of all proceeds raised to benefit the family and the foundation they created in memory of Shawn Williams Jr.

See the article on the website of The Baytown Sun.

Gourmet Growth in the Capital City: MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes Opens First Restaurant in Baton Rouge

Customizable Burger Franchise Chain Crosses State Lines into Louisiana

Dallas: Burger enthusiasts in Baton Rouge, LA will have something new to drool over, as MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, a fast casual, “better burger” fries and shakes chain, is excited to announce the opening of its newest restaurant at 6555 Siegen Lane Suite 6 on November 11, 2013. This opening marks the brand’s first restaurant in the state of Louisiana, spearheaded by United States Veterans Chuck and Denise Kerr.

“Coming hot on the heels of our recent national expansion, we are very excited to provide a better, customizable burger concept to Baton Rouge and we’re very fortunate to be working with great partners like Chuck and Denise,” said Michael Mabry, Vice President of Operations and Franchise Development for MOOYAH. “Our franchisees are the driving force behind our success and we’re committed to expanding to new territories west of the Mississippi River while providing the highest quality food and customer service to our guests in Louisiana.”

New to the state of Louisiana, the Kerrs are bringing the Texas-based MOOYAH brand to Baton Rouge after falling in love with the customizable burger concept while living in Dallas. Most of Chuck Kerr’s career has been concentrated in operations, most notably with Subway restaurants as an owner-operator, and most recently, as operations manager at an IT employment firm. After making the decision to move to Louisiana to be closer to family, the husband-and-wife team approached MOOYAH to inquire about investment opportunities to develop the fast-casual hotspot in uncharted territory.

Additionally, the duo is no stranger to service; Chuck was enrolled in the Army and served in Desert Storm while Denise served as a base commander in the Air Force. Their MOOYAH restaurant is aptly opening on Veterans Day, and the two are very excited to be working “the front lines” at their new MOOYAH.

“We were introduced to MOOYAH by Denise’s coworkers and it was love at first bite. We planned our move to Louisiana to be closer to family and inquired about opportunities to bring the brand to Baton Rouge,” said Chuck Kerr, noting the restaurant will open near Louisiana State University. “I’ve worked in franchising before and I’m pleased to spread the MOOYAH name in a new city, and provide personalized menu options to our new neighbors. I am very positive about the success we will have once we open.”

At MOOYAH, customization is king. Guests have the advantage of choosing from a variety of bread options, such as freshly baked white or wheat buns and hand-crafted lettuce wraps to accompany either the never-frozen 100 percent American beef patty, Jennie-O turkey patty or the mouthwatering veggie burger. Each gourmet burger creation comes with a selection of unlimited veggies and a choice of nine delicious sauces.

MOOYAH French fries come together in a six-step process that takes a total of 24 hours to completely prepare. A delightful combination of constant attention and a little magic help transform U.S. #1 Idaho potatoes into perfect, crisp-on-the-outside and fluffy-on-the-inside fries. Never one to forget dessert, MOOYAH offers handcrafted shakes, allowing guests to choose from classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate, or opt to make their own creations with toppings such as cookie dough, peanut butter cups and more.

“MOOYAH prides itself on being a family-friendly business, from the guests we serve to the franchisees who help us continue on our path of growth, we want everyone to feel welcome,” said Natalie Anderson, Senior Brand Manager at MOOYAH, noting that the restaurant chain continues to attract favorable media attention throughout the nation for its commitment to quality products, innovative Social Media tactics, first-to-market products, and strong franchise growth. “We’re confident this new restaurant in Baton Rouge will deliver a great guest experience in addition to developing the MOOYAH name, and allow us to grow and expand further in the state to provide more cities with better burgers, fries and shakes.”

Seeing incredible growth in 2012 alone, MOOYAH continues its unending expansion, already awarding an additional 46 units nationally and internationally in the first three quarters of 2013, with plans to provide 400 jobs to local communities by year-end. The brand shows no signs of slowing down and aims to deliver a simple American classic that’s not only made well, but produced in a friendly and comfortable environment to new and fresh markets in the future. MOOYAH is currently focusing its expansion efforts in California, Florida and the Northeast.

ABOUT MOOYAH BURGERS, FRIES & SHAKES 
MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes is a fast-casual, “better burger” concept serving mouth-watering made-to-order burgers, hand-cut French fries made from high-quality Idaho potatoes, and handcrafted 100-percent ice cream shakes. Founded in 2007, the Plano, Texas-based company only uses fresh, American lean beef and all-natural Jennie-O® turkey burgers, buns baked in house, real cheeses and toppings made from garden-fresh ingredients. It offers online ordering, and a cookout trailer for corporate, social and fundraising events. MOOYAH has been ranked 1st overall in Restaurant Business’s 2013 Future 50 list, listed as No. 8 in Fast Casual Magazine’s annual Top 100 Movers & Shakers in 2013, a list they have been at the top of for several years in a row, and BurgerBusiness included MOOYAH in its list of “11 Burger Chains to Watch in 2011.” The brand was also recognized in USA Today’s Top 50 Franchises for Military Veterans in June of 2013. For more information on MOOYAH, its menu or franchising opportunities, please visit http://www.mooyah.com. Follow MOOYAH on Twitter @MooyahBurger and connect with MOOYAH on Facebook Fan page.