The drive-thru burger concept, once owned by Taco Bell and once counting over 100 units, now operates a single location in Michigan
Hot‘n Now is the latest restaurant brand plotting a comeback this year. Gun Lakes Investments, a Tribal Economic Development Corporation that serves as the non-gaming investment arm of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, announced that it has acquired the Hot ‘n Now name in partnership with developer Jeff Konczak to form HNN Holdings LLC. According to the Detroit News, HNN’s plan is to open two new Hot ‘n Now restaurants in Michigan this year, as well as more locations “in the coming years.”
The publication reports that the new locations will be drive-thru and walk-up only, using modular buildings from Konczak’s B Cubed Manufacturing.
The quick-service burger concept was founded in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1984 and eventually grew to more than 150 locations throughout the United States. In 1990, Taco Bell acquired Hot ‘n Now, a fast-food burger chain, and sold it in 1996. According to the Lansing State Journal, the chain then struggled through several ownership changes and filed for bankruptcy in 2004. A year and a half later, the much smaller system was acquired for $175,000.
Hot ‘n Now currently operates a single drive-thru location in Sturgis, Mich., which has been open since 1990. According to its Facebook page, the restaurant activated DoorDash this week for the first time. GLI said the Sturgis location will remain operational.
“We are thrilled to announce the brand acquisition and new stores alongside such a great partner,” GLI chief executive officer Monica King said in a statement. “Our teams share big ideas, energy, passion, and dedication, so we are eager for this collaboration to move to the next step.”
With this announcement, Hot ‘n Now becomes the latest chain planning a comeback this year, joining Chi-Chi’s, Ground Round, and Steak & Ale.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
