(WWJ) — In the ‘80s and ‘90s, the Michigan-based Hot ‘n Now fast food chain was known for its ultra-cheap burgers and unique, small, drive-thru-only buildings with a slanted roof.
After reaching more than 150 locations across the country, the brand slowly faded away in the 2000s, with just one Hot ‘n Now remaining in Sturgis, Michigan, just north of the Indiana border.
Get ready for a blast from the past, because Hot ‘n Now is poised for a comeback in 2025.
Gun Lake Investments — an economic development corporation wholly owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe — has announced a partnership with Alpena business owner and developer Jeff Konczak, designed to revive the fast food chain.
Doing business as HNN Holdings, LLC, the group acquired the Hot ‘n Now name last October and plans to add two locations in Michigan this year. The first will be near Gun Lake Casino in Wayland — about 25 miles south of Grand Rapids — sometime around this summer.
A second location is slated to open in Alpena, later in the year.
Once known for its 39-cent burgers, Monica King, Chief Executive Officer of GLI, told WWJ Newsradio 950’s Ryan Wrecker they’re keeping the branding and heritage, but they also want to keep the value.
“It’s ridiculous sometimes when you’re talking about feeding a couple of kids and it’s about $30 for burgers. Things have gotten really expensive and things have gotten really complicated,” King said.
While the restaurant’s exact menu and prices have not been decided on, King said “these next two stores are really important for us and we want to make sure we get them right.”
Konczak, a longtime business owner and developer in Northeast Michigan, owns B Cubed Manufacturing. B Cubed makes modular drive-thru buildings, most notably for Biggby Coffee’s B Cubed drive-thru locations. Using its ‘plug and play’ concept, B Cubed will design and build the new Hot ‘n Now standalone buildings.
“The Hot 'n Now brand has a multi-decade history of providing value to consumers and their families,” said Jeff Konczak, Owner of B Cubed Manufacturing. “We are excited to partner with GLI on the brand acquisition, as they share our commitment to making our offerings accessible to families nationwide. Rather than limiting affordability to a few items, our entire menu will be priced to accommodate a wide range of households and incomes.”
More information will be shared publicly this year, but for now, HNN is “excited to lead the famed brand’s next chapter.”