FATBURGER CEO: Ann Arbor franchise likely to open within a year
I spoke this afternoon with the CEO of FATBURGER, and he confirmed: Ann Arbor can expect to see his burger chain in this market within the next year.
Unclear is where and exactly who will operate it.
The California-based chain, he said, has a franchisee who runs the store in Southfield looking for additional locations. And two new franchisees also are looking at undisclosed spots in the state.
Ann Arbor is up for grabs among them.
“Everyone wants to be around the University of Michigan,” said Andy Wiederhorn.
My conversation with Wiederhorn took place after I reported today on AnnArbor.com about some of the reasons for the growth of burger chains in Ann Arbor - and the U.S.
Five Guys Burgers and @burger announced new locations here, and more are likely to follow.
Among them is FATBURGER. The chain has 100 stores and will open another 20 by the end of the year. Many of those are in international locations.
In the U.S., store growth has been constrained by the economy, Wiederhorn said.
“It’s hard for franchisees to get financing today,” he said.
As a result, store expansion is happening when operators strike deals with landlords that involve equity stakes in the business, or by other financing methods that rely less on traditional loans.
Franchisees need to stick to rental rate ratios that keep them profitable, he added: That is 8-10 percent of sales.
Wiederhorn is among the people who think there’s more room in the world for more burger restaurants.
“We have 40 locations in California, and we could have 200,” he said., “and we wouldn’t have oversaturated the market.”
Comments
Bear
Sat, Jun 12, 2010 : 3:58 p.m.
Oh, this is funny! Check out this video on the official fatburger site!!!! http://www.fatburger.com/home/ pretty entertaining and interesting. Might actually be an improvement over any other burger joint in town!
Bear
Sat, Jun 12, 2010 : 3:49 p.m.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatburger
Bear
Sat, Jun 12, 2010 : 3:46 p.m.
hmmmmmm.... here is a copy of their menu. Everything from heartstoppers with over a thousand calories to Soy patties and turkey burgers. Interesting enough, but we will see. there are a lot of business franchises in the food industry that have moved to ann arbor for a couple of years and then gone away to find more profitable environs. We will see. https://www.fatburger.com/menu/
Bear
Sat, Jun 12, 2010 : 3:41 p.m.
Fatburger? Doesn't sound healthy or appetizing at all. I am a carnivore and I don't find the label appetizing. Boiled ribs? What a drag. Brined for a few hours, braised for a few hours, marinated for a few more, then set aside for a day and BBQ'd for about 10 minutes equals tender, juicy, falling off the bone ribs. And it isn't that difficult to make your own BBQ sauce. it works nicely if you have any taste at all. Experiment. A2 doesn't need any more 'burger joints'.
stopfoodignorance
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 5:58 p.m.
@chakro bagton-meyers...that was Ice Cube
CynicA2
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 5:27 p.m.
Have to agree with Bobby John - Jesse's 'Q was nothing special. Have heard that West Texas BBQ over in Brooklyn, MI near Jackson is good, but never tasted it - ribs and brisket and other cuts slow smoked for 12-16 hours. Burgers and fries are good fare in a tough economy, so they should have many years of good growth in Michigan, if their products are decent. Veggies sometimes make a nice side dish, but I would never try to live on them - and that tofu crap... UGH! - I would rather eat my shoes.
BobbyJohn
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 11:43 a.m.
Jesse's Soul on a Roll sandwich was OK, but nothing to brag about. He used low quality buns. And, I used to hang w/ him at his shop on Summit St. and Main. I asked him about his "signature" BBQ sauce. It was plain ol' Open Pit. Plus he boiled his ribs before smoking them. Nice guy, but not BBQ royalty.
treetowncartel
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 10:08 a.m.
I just wish Mr. Rib was still open. No burger or sandwich could even come close to Jesse's Soul on a Roll.
Gina Valo
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 8:53 a.m.
I agree, Gee. I'm all for new businesses opening in Ann Arbor, but I would mind seeing more tasty vegetarian options (french fries don't count). Vegan bakeries and vegetarian cafes are thriving in other big cities and Ann Arbor would be a great place to start something like that.
Gee
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 7:43 a.m.
Too many new burger franchises - TOO MANY! In the midst of the positive trend towards healthier eating, corporate America is doing its best to keep people eating foods that are laden with fat and way-too-many calories. A quick glance at fatburger's nutritional information reveals that a basic fatburger, fries and vanilla shake contain a total of 1,860 calories and 93 grams of fat. Promoting "100% pure lean beef" is a very deceiving hook. Pay attention people!!!! Their motto should be "Walk In Waddle Out", or something of that ilk.
chakro bagton-meyers
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 5 a.m.
yay fatburger! "Two in the morning got the fat burger"-ice T, "today was a good day" one question about these new burger establishments leasing w/out common victualers license, is that just a MA thing? or do we hvae to secure permits before opening?
Lokalisierung
Thu, Jun 10, 2010 : 4:50 p.m.
Holy cows the burger joints are popping up at a great rate. never hat FatBurger...ready to try.