MOOYAH, a fast-casual, “better burger,” fries and shakes chain, announced a focused growth plan to enter Southern California by targeting Greater Los Angeles. The quickly expanding burger brand, through the leadership of local development agent Greg Spalter, has a goal of adding 40 to 60 jobs throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernardino County and Riverside County by the end of 2015.
“Beyond having a superb product and excellent service, MOOYAH has the right talent and focus to emerge as a leader in the crowded ‘better burger’ segment,” Spalter said. “We target a part of the market that a lot of other brands do not, and our emphasis on both hospitality and fun creates an atmosphere second to none.”
Spalter joined MOOYAH with experience developing a restaurant concept in the area, having been an area developer in Orange County for Quiznos Sub for more than a decade. He opened 75 Quiznos units in 11 years, following his tenure as a real estate consultant for nationally recognized accounting firm Kenneth Leventhal & Company LLP. Spalter also learned the trade area years earlier while getting his MBA at the University of California, Los Angeles.
When he moved on from Quiznos, Spalter explored various segments of the restaurant industry in search of the next hot concept. He determined that the best opportunities were in the better burger segment, which ultimately led him to MOOYAH, Spalter said. He plans to open 15 locations of the brand in Southern California over the next five years, hoping to eventually reach a total of 35 units in the region within 10 years.
MOOYAH is opening its first restaurant in the Los Angeles region later this year in Irvine and will be expanding to surrounding areas from there. In 2015, the brand plans to add three more locations in Orange County.
“Paired with our strong North American growth, including our recent 65th restaurant opening milestone in the United States, strong and targeted individual market development is increasingly a large part of our strategic expansion plans,” said Michael Mabry, chief operating officer at MOOYAH. “Through our local developer Greg Spalter, we have the ability to penetrate a market with someone embedded within the local business community, which gives us a competitive edge.”
Dallas-based MOOYAH saw substantial growth in the past several years, expanding from a Texas brand into an emerging national player and leader in the growing better burger segment of fast casual. The brand currently has 65 restaurants in 16 states and plans to open 10 more by the end of the year, bringing the system to 75 overall in the United States. In 2015, MOOYAH aims to end the year with 100 restaurants across the country.
“MOOYAH began as a simple concept built around friendly people serving the freshest, most delicious burgers, fries and shakes available,” said Rich Hicks, the brand’s co-founder and chief executive. “As our brand continues to evolve, we are committed to keeping it simple, while still relevant, in order to appeal to our guests’ individual tastes and favorites.”
Additionally, its family-friendly environment helps MOOYAH stand out above its competition, officials said.
“MOOYAH prides itself on being a family-friendly business, from the guests we serve to the franchisees who open restaurants with the goal of running them with people they consider family. We designed the restaurant concept with family in mind so everyone would feel welcome and comfortable,” said Mabry, noting that the restaurant chain continues to attract favorable media attention throughout the nation for its commitment to high-quality, first-to-market products, innovative social-media tactics, and strong franchise growth.
Those interested in the franchise opportunity in Southern California are encouraged to contact Spalter at (714) 386-7214 or gspalter@mooyah.com. More information about the MOOYAH franchise opportunity is available at http://www.mooyahfranchise.com.
