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{{short description|American restaurant chain}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Meatheads Burgers & Fries, LLC
| name = Meatheads Burgers & Fries, LLC
Line 5: Line 6:
| logo_alt =
| logo_alt =
| type = Fast casual restaurant
| type = Fast casual restaurant
| foundation = {{start date|2007}}
| founded = {{start date and age|2007}} in [[Bloomington, Illinois]]
|defunct = 2024
| location_city = [[Chicago, Illinois]]
| location_city = [[Chicago, Illinois]]
| parent = Epic Burger
|founder = Tom Jednorowicz<br>Doug Reichl
|successor = [[Epic Burger]]
| location_country = United States
| location_country = United States
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.meatheadsburgers.com/}}
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.meatheadsburgers.com/}}
| num_locations = 0
| num_locations_year =2024
|industry = [[Fast casual]]
}}
}}
'''Meatheads Burgers & Fries''' (commonly referred to as '''Meatheads''') is an American fast food retailer of high-end [[hamburgers]] and other related menu items based in [[Illinois]].
'''Meatheads Burgers & Fries''' (commonly referred to as '''Meatheads''') was an American fast-casual retailer of high-end [[hamburgers]] and other related menu items based in [[Illinois]].


The company was founded by Tom Jednorowicz, formerly an executive at [[Potbelly Sandwich Works]] and [[Einstein Bros. Bagels]].<ref name="patch1">Fisher, Jennifer (12 March 2011). [http://northbrook.patch.com/articles/burger-joint-serves-up-fries-milkshakes-and-acts-of-kindness Burger Joint Serves Up Fries, Milkshakes And Acts of Kindness], ''Northbrook Patch''</ref><ref name="nrn1">Brandau, Mark (16 November 2009). [http://nrn.com/archive/meatheads-burgers-and-fries-paces-itself-steady-growth Meatheads Burgers and Fries paces itself for steady growth], ''[[Nation's Restaurant News]]''</ref> Meatheads started in [[Bloomington, Illinois]] in 2007<ref name="panta1">Arney, Steve (20 December 2007). [http://www.pantagraph.com/entertainment/dining/article_eb868534-f9af-55a2-bef5-064372be11a2.html Meat Heads keeps it simple], ''[[The Pantagraph]]''</ref><ref name="nbcchic1">Wolinsky, David. (16 November 2012). [http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/inc-well/Meatheads-Tom-Jednorowicz-on-Hiring-Trends-in-the-Food-Biz-177540121.html Meatheads' Tom Jednorowicz on Hiring Trends in the Food Biz], ''NBC Chicago''</ref> and became a popular spot among students of [[Illinois State University]] and the popular young crowd. The company has since opened fourteen more locations in the [[Chicago area]], first entering that market in 2009.<ref name="abc7-one">Dolinsky, Steve 6 February 2009). [http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources/lifestyle_community/food/restaurants&id=6644073 First Friday Burger & Fries], ''ABC 7 Chicago''</ref><ref>Bendersky, Ari. (15 August 2012). [http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2012/08/15/meatheads-burgers-fries-headed-to-roscoe-village.php Meatheads Burgers & Fries Headed to Roscoe Village], ''Chicago Eater''</ref><ref name="bizj1">Lazare, Lewis. (25 September 2012). [http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2012/09/25/meatheads-finally-opens-in-chicago.html?page=all Meatheads finally opens in Chicago], ''[[Chicago Business Journal]]''</ref> As of October 2016, 17 locations are in operation.<ref>{{cite web | title=locations | website=Meatheads Burgers | url=https://www.meatheadsburgers.com/locations-2/ | access-date=November 7, 2017}}</ref>
The company was founded by Tom Jednorowicz, formerly an executive at [[Potbelly Sandwich Works]] and [[Einstein Bros. Bagels]],<ref name="patch1">{{cite web|url=http://northbrook.patch.com/articles/burger-joint-serves-up-fries-milkshakes-and-acts-of-kindness|title=Burger Joint Serves Up Fries, Milkshakes And Acts of Kindness|date=13 March 2011 }}</ref><ref name="nrn1">{{cite web|url=http://nrn.com/archive/meatheads-burgers-and-fries-paces-itself-steady-growth|title=Meatheads Burgers and Fries paces itself for steady growth|date=16 November 2009 }}</ref> and Doug Reichl, founder of Tartan Realty Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/meatheads-lender-lqd-financial-corp-resolve-bankruptcy-dispute |title=Meatheads, lender LQD Financial Corp. Resolve bankruptcy dispute |date=16 April 2021 }}</ref> Meatheads started in [[Bloomington, Illinois]] in 2007<ref name="panta1">{{cite web|url=http://www.pantagraph.com/entertainment/dining/article_eb868534-f9af-55a2-bef5-064372be11a2.html|title=Meat Heads keeps it simple|date=20 December 2007 }}</ref><ref name="nbcchic1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/inc-well/Meatheads-Tom-Jednorowicz-on-Hiring-Trends-in-the-Food-Biz-177540121.html|title=Meatheads' Tom Jednorowicz on Hiring Trends in the Food Biz|date=6 November 2012 }}</ref> and became a popular spot among students of [[Illinois State University]] and the popular young crowd. The company went on to open fourteen more locations in the [[Chicago area]], first entering that market in 2009.<ref name="abc7-one">{{cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/archive/6644073/|title=First Friday Burger & Fries|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707202728/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources%2Flifestyle_community%2Ffood%2Frestaurants&id=6644073|archive-date=2013-07-07 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2012/08/15/meatheads-burgers-fries-headed-to-roscoe-village.php|title=Meatheads Burgers & Fries Headed to Roscoe Village|date=15 August 2012 }}</ref><ref name="bizj1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2012/09/25/meatheads-finally-opens-in-chicago.html?page=all|title=Meatheads finally opens in Chicago}}</ref> As of October 2016, 17 locations were in operation, one of which was in [[Champaign, Illinois]] near the [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign]] campus.


Among a growing number of specialty burger chains in the United States,<ref name="crave">Barakat, Matthew (Associated Press writer)(12 July 2010). [http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/hungry-americans-crave-bigger-better-burger-joints-98222939.html Hungry Americans crave bigger, better burger joints], ''[[Winnipeg Free Press]]''</ref> Meatheads attempts to differentiate from its competition such as [[Five Guys]] and [[Smashburger]] by cutting a customer's fries in front of them, similar to west-coast based [[In-N-Out Burger]]. Meatheads describes itself as a "[[Fast casual restaurant|fast-casual]]" chain as opposed to a traditional fast food chain.
Among a growing number of specialty burger chains in the United States,<ref name="crave">{{cite web|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/hungry-americans-crave-bigger-better-burger-joints-98222939.html|title=Hungry Americans crave bigger, better burger joints|date=12 July 2010 }}</ref> Meatheads attempted to differentiate from its competition such as [[Five Guys]] and [[Smashburger]] by cutting a customer's fries in front of them, similar to west-coast based [[In-N-Out Burger]]. Meatheads described itself as a "[[Fast casual restaurant|fast-casual]]" chain as opposed to a traditional fast-food chain.


With reported annual sales in 2011 of approximately $5 million, the chain is currently composed of company-owned stores, and has not implemented a franchise model.<ref name="nofranchise">Bertagnoli, Lisa (14 March 2011). [http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20110312/ISSUE02/303129997/franchise-no-thanks-these-firms-prefer-to-fly-solo Franchise? No thanks: These firms prefer to fly solo], ''[[Crain's Chicago Business]]''</ref>
With reported annual sales in 2011 of approximately $5 million, the chain was solely composed of company-owned stores, and never implemented a franchise model.<ref name="nofranchise">{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20110312/ISSUE02/303129997/franchise-no-thanks-these-firms-prefer-to-fly-solo|title=Franchise? No thanks: These firms prefer to fly solo}}</ref> In 2019, the partners sold the company to Crave Brands, LLC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/emerging-brands/fast-casual-chain-meatheads-declares-bankruptcy |title=Fast-casual chain Meatheads declares bankruptcy }}</ref>


On April 9, 2021, Meatheads Burgers & Fries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The chain's parent company, Crave Brands LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection the same day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bestlifeonline.com/news-burger-chain-bankruptcy/|title = This Beloved Local Burger Chain Just Filed for Bankruptcy|date = 14 April 2021}}</ref> In September 2023, Epic Burger acquired the remaining six Meatheads locations and began the process of converting them to Epic Burger,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystern/2024/03/06/epic-burger-in-chicago-taking-over-another-burger-chain/?sh=482f61ec7f4d|title=Epic Burger In Chicago Taking Over Another Burger Chain|website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref> starting with the Northbrook location.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/illinois/northbrook/hello-northbrook-epic-burger-opens-new-location-ceos-hometown|title=Hello, Northbrook: Epic Burger Opens New Location In CEO's Hometown|date=15 February 2024 }}</ref> As of July 2024, only two locations remained, and were later replaced as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.meatheadsburgers.com/locations |title=Locations - Meatheads® Burgers }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news-gazette.com/business/restaurants/champaigns-meatheads-transforms-into-epic-burger/article_70d3a03a-6b8e-11ef-a305-5b2a76dd4066.html |title=Champaign's Meatheads transforms into Epic Burger |date=5 September 2024 }}</ref>
==Notes==
⚫
{{Reflist}}


==References==
==References==
⚫
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-215061248.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929004318/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-215061248.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 29, 2014 | title=How a burger chain picks a site | publisher=Chain Leader Magazine | date=November 1, 2009 | accessdate=December 23, 2012}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:2007 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Companies based in Bloomington–Normal]]
[[Category:Companies based in Bloomington–Normal]]
[[Category:Defunct hamburger restaurants]]
[[Category:Defunct restaurant chains in the United States]]
[[Category:Fast casual restaurants]]
[[Category:Fast casual restaurants]]
[[Category:Hamburger restaurants]]
[[Category:Hamburger restaurants in the United States]]
[[Category:Regional restaurant chains in the United States]]
[[Category:Regional restaurant chains in the United States]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 2007]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 2007]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Illinois]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Illinois]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2007]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2007]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 2024]]
[[Category:Restaurants disestablished in 2024]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2021]]
__FORCETOC__

{{Restaurants in Chicago}}

Latest revision as of 04:41, 3 January 2025

Meatheads Burgers & Fries, LLC
Company typeFast casual restaurant
IndustryFast casual
Founded2007; 18 years ago (2007) in Bloomington, Illinois
FounderTom Jednorowicz
Doug Reichl
Defunct2024
SuccessorEpic Burger
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
,
United States
Number of locations
0 (2024)
ParentEpic Burger
Websitewww.meatheadsburgers.com

Meatheads Burgers & Fries (commonly referred to as Meatheads) was an American fast-casual retailer of high-end hamburgers and other related menu items based in Illinois.

The company was founded by Tom Jednorowicz, formerly an executive at Potbelly Sandwich Works and Einstein Bros. Bagels,[1][2] and Doug Reichl, founder of Tartan Realty Group.[3] Meatheads started in Bloomington, Illinois in 2007[4][5] and became a popular spot among students of Illinois State University and the popular young crowd. The company went on to open fourteen more locations in the Chicago area, first entering that market in 2009.[6][7][8] As of October 2016, 17 locations were in operation, one of which was in Champaign, Illinois near the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign campus.

Among a growing number of specialty burger chains in the United States,[9] Meatheads attempted to differentiate from its competition such as Five Guys and Smashburger by cutting a customer's fries in front of them, similar to west-coast based In-N-Out Burger. Meatheads described itself as a "fast-casual" chain as opposed to a traditional fast-food chain.

With reported annual sales in 2011 of approximately $5 million, the chain was solely composed of company-owned stores, and never implemented a franchise model.[10] In 2019, the partners sold the company to Crave Brands, LLC.[11]

On April 9, 2021, Meatheads Burgers & Fries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The chain's parent company, Crave Brands LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection the same day.[12] In September 2023, Epic Burger acquired the remaining six Meatheads locations and began the process of converting them to Epic Burger,[13] starting with the Northbrook location.[14] As of July 2024, only two locations remained, and were later replaced as well.[15][16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Burger Joint Serves Up Fries, Milkshakes And Acts of Kindness". 13 March 2011.
  2. ^ "Meatheads Burgers and Fries paces itself for steady growth". 16 November 2009.
  3. ^ "Meatheads, lender LQD Financial Corp. Resolve bankruptcy dispute". 16 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Meat Heads keeps it simple". 20 December 2007.
  5. ^ "Meatheads' Tom Jednorowicz on Hiring Trends in the Food Biz". 6 November 2012.
  6. ^ "First Friday Burger & Fries". Archived from the original on 2013-07-07.
  7. ^ "Meatheads Burgers & Fries Headed to Roscoe Village". 15 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Meatheads finally opens in Chicago".
  9. ^ "Hungry Americans crave bigger, better burger joints". 12 July 2010.
  10. ^ "Franchise? No thanks: These firms prefer to fly solo".
  11. ^ "Fast-casual chain Meatheads declares bankruptcy".
  12. ^ "This Beloved Local Burger Chain Just Filed for Bankruptcy". 14 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Epic Burger In Chicago Taking Over Another Burger Chain". Forbes.
  14. ^ "Hello, Northbrook: Epic Burger Opens New Location In CEO's Hometown". 15 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Locations - Meatheads® Burgers".
  16. ^ "Champaign's Meatheads transforms into Epic Burger". 5 September 2024.
[edit]


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