Aaron White, franchise owner of the Richardson and Allen (Texas) MOOYAHs, just opened the second MOOYAH location in Denton, Texas this past May. Aaron’s newest MOOYAH is located at 2530 West University Drive, Suite 100, in the rapidly growing Rayzor Ranch Marketplace off of highways 380 and 35.
This location has all the newest features found in MOOYAH restaurants across the state. These features include counter seating where guests can interact with the chefs behind their made-to-order meals. This new MOOYAH location will also create about 30 jobs for the Denton area.
After getting out of the Marine Corps, Aaron started working his way up the ranks at Hard Rock Café. He then ventured into the fine dining side of the business at Nick and Sam’s Steakhouse and Medici Lounge. That is what led him to MOOYAH.
Franchise Chatter (FC): What factors led to your decision to open your first MOOYAH restaurant? What steps did you take to investigate this franchise opportunity?
Aaron White (AW): I was starting a family and needed to get out of the Night Club business. I love the restaurant business and wanted to work for myself, so it was a natural fit. I visited with a free advisor from SCORE. He was a great asset in helping me make a decision. I feel like we looked at 100 different franchise possibilities and MOOYAH was the best fit for me.
FC: What was your overall experience in opening and running your first MOOYAH restaurant? Would you have done anything differently?
AW: I don’t think I would have changed a thing. MOOYAH was very helpful in the opening of my first store. They were there every step of the way.
FC: In your experience, what are some of the most effective ways to market a new MOOYAH restaurant and to keep customers loyal?
AW: You have to “WOW” the guest. A concept as simple as MOOYAH leaves you time to do the important things like focus on good service. I think hitting the streets and getting to know your community is the most effective way to market a new MOOYAH.
FC: What can you tell us about the profit potential of a MOOYAH franchise?
AW: The profit potential can be great! It is a very simple menu with very few inventory items. That helps with keeping a good food cost and once you know what you’re doing, it doesn’t take much labor either. If you manage your controllable costs and don’t go too crazy on your fixed, you will have a great opportunity to make money.
FC: What made you decide to open your third MOOYAH restaurant?
AW: I opened one of the very early franchised stores for MOOYAH and ever since then, it has been like a family to me. I couldn’t imagine leaving the system, so I only had one option — open more stores! The simplicity of the concept affords you the time needed to have multiple units and do it successfully.
FC: What is your process for identifying a good location for your restaurant?
AW: Well I can’t give all of my secrets, but I look for areas that fit one of our brand philosophies “Hometown, Home team.” I like to run my store as a neighborhood burger place, so obviously I want to be a HUGE part of the community.
FC: Are you satisfied with the support you’ve been receiving from the home office? Please describe your working relationship with the corporate team.
AW: Like I said before, I feel like this is a family. Now, if you kick out the bad things about working with family (i.e. family drama) and focus on the good things, it gives you my working relationship. I feel comfortable being open and honest about the good things and the bad. It has been a pretty smooth process so far.
FC: What do you like the most about being a MOOYAH franchisee, and what do you like the least?
AW: Because I was one of the early guys in the concept, I have seen the brand evolve into what it is today. I love being a part of that growth. I always felt that we had something special, so it is really nice to watch the growth. I would say that there is nothing that I like the least. I love having my own business because if there is a problem, there is only one person to blame — ME!
FC: What are your future growth plans for your restaurant group? Do you plan on opening more MOOYAHs or are you looking into other brands as well?
AW: I definitely plan on opening more MOOYAHs. I’ll develop as long as they’ll have me or until they sell ALL of the available locations.
FC: What advice can you offer prospective franchisees who are interested in opening a better burger restaurant?
AW: Be passionate! If you love what you are doing, you will never work a day in your life. You have to love the restaurant business and be prepared to put the time into it.
For more information on MOOYAH, its menu or franchising opportunities, please visit MOOYAH’s website, follow MOOYAH on Twitter, and connect with MOOYAH on Facebook.
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