FAQs About the MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes Franchise Opportunity

Backed by booming Guest loyalty, better-burger franchise MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes is riding a wave of expansion and is currently on track to add 45 new locations by the end of 2023 to its 90-unit fast-casual franchise system.

Much of the brand’s recent success can be attributed to its ability to lean in on delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic; third-party delivery now represents 15% of the burger brands’ business.

1851 checked in with Mike Sebazco, Vice President of Operations at MOOYAH, to get answers to the most frequently asked questions by prospective MOOYAH Franchise Owners.

What does it cost to open a MOOYAH location?

The startup costs for a MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes location range from $551,918–$715,161 with a franchise fee of $40,000. Factors such as scope of work and local municipality requirements affect the investment amount. To learn more about franchising with MOOYAH, visit franchise.mooyah.com.

What sets MOOYAH apart from other burger brands?

MOOYAH has built its reputation on giving Guests options, something that has proved to be a winning strategy in this era of niche eating, where people increasingly define themselves by the food they eat (or won’t eat).

“MOOYAH’s menu was designed to accommodate a variety of lifestyles, from vegan to vegetarian, gluten-free to low-calorie, paleo-friendly to keto-friendly — not to mention carnivores and kids alike,” said Sebazco.

Offering a number of bun choices — including baked-in-house, non-GMO artisan potato and multigrain, hand-crafted lettuce buns called Iceburgers, and gluten-free — as well as the option to go with 100% Certified Angus Beef®, all natural turkey or Dr. Praeger’s black bean vegan burgers, Guests can craft their own dream burger to suit their dietary preferences.

On top of that, they can customize their burgers with a variety of gourmet options, including six different cheeses, Applewood smoked bacon, fresh avocado, pickles, fried onion strings, jalapenos, sautéed mushrooms and an array of sauces that go beyond the standard ketchup and mustard.

How can I find the right site?

MOOYAH has both a national network and a local network that they utilize for real estate. “Our real estate partners also do a site analysis because each restaurant has to meet certain criteria,” Sebazco said. “There are no shortages of sites, but getting the right one at the right price is what MOOYAH helps with.”

In addition, MOOYAH targets former restaurant sites as opportunities for “second-generation locations,” which give new Franchise Owners a head start on the build-out. Instead of walking into “a cold, dark shell,” as completely unfinished spaces, MOOYAH gets some existing restaurant infrastructure to start with. The brand looks for spaces that have an existing ventilation hood, a walk-in cooler and a grease trap, saving Franchise Owners time, money and energy.

What is MOOYAH’s track record of success?

Despite a year rife with challenges for the restaurant industry, 18 MOOYAH stores joined the franchise’s Million Dollar Club in 2020 — a group of restaurants that have pulled in at least $1 million in sales.

“System-wide, MOOYAH grew by 10% during the pandemic, while also finalizing its new drive-thru concept,” Sebazco said. “With two drive-thrus projected to open this year, MOOYAH continues to offer more convenience to its loyal and enthusiastic Guests.”

What type of training and support from my franchisor can I expect as a MOOYAH Franchise Owner?

With an elite Leadership Team stacked with more than 100 years of combined experience, MOOYAH’s team offers its Franchise Owners support every step of the way, from initial training and construction to marketing and ongoing operations.

What makes working with MOOYAH a special experience?

MOOYAH’s commitment to fun is a breath of fresh air that’s built into every aspect of its model that extends from Guests to Team Members to Franchise Owners.

Believing that seriously good food doesn’t have to be such serious business, MOOYAH’s Burger Hall of ‘Dang!’® — featuring such fan favorites as The Well D’Onion, The Hamburdog and The Indulgent BBQ —  has found that smiles and dollars go together like French fries and ketchup.

Is now a good time to buy?

“If there was ever a time to join the MOOYAH family, it’s now,” Sebazco said. “The brand is optimizing its restaurant model to support the changing needs of its Guests, and in tandem with a new look, new logo and impactful marketing, MOOYAH is prepared to see top-line revenue growth come from this innovative plan.”

With locations currently in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin, a full pipeline of new locations and a Guest base that’s more loyal than ever, MOOYAH is riding a wave of expansion in 2021. And even with its monumental growth, the brand still has opportunities for exclusivity in some major markets for qualified Franchise Owners. Target markets include Columbus, Houston, Las Vegas, Tampa, Orlando, Phoenix, Raleigh/Durham, Nashville, Atlanta and Richmond.