Hot 'n Now Plots Summer Comeback with Two New Michigan Locations

Remember 39-cent burgers? Hot 'n Now does, and the nearly-defunct fast-food chain is betting nostalgia and ultra-low prices will fuel its revival.

The drive-thru burger chain, which once had over 150 locations nationwide before shrinking to just one, announced plans for two new Michigan restaurants - a summer opening in Wayland and a fall debut in Alpena. It's the latest entry in a growing trend of old brands attempting comebacks, joining Chi-Chi's, Ground Round, and Steak & Ale.

Behind the resurrection are Gun Lake Investments and Alpena developer Jeff Konczak, operating as HNN Holdings LLC. They're taking a modern approach to an old-school concept, using modular building technology to construct the signature red-roofed restaurants off-site before putting them together on location.

"The Hot 'n Now brand has a multi-decade history of providing value to families, so we intend to honor that history in this next chapter with our hyper-value-focused pricing," said Monica King, CEO of Gun Lake Investments.

The Wayland location, located across from Gun Lake Casino on 129th Avenue, will feature the chain's cult favorites: The Olive Burger (yes, that's green olives on a burger) and Cheesy Taters. Hours will run 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, extending to 1 a.m. on weekends - perfect for post-casino munchies.

The entire menu will be budget-friendly, not just a few loss leaders. "Rather than limiting affordability to a few items, our entire menu will be priced to accommodate a wide range of households and incomes," Konczak said. "We are confident that consumers will see this new chapter as the logical next iteration of the Hot 'n Now brand."

The 737-square-foot buildings are being manufactured by Konczak's company, B Cubed Manufacturing, which already produces modular structures for Biggby Coffee. Each location features state-of-the-art kitchen equipment designed for speed without sacrificing taste.

Hot 'n Now's rollercoaster history reads like a cautionary tale of American fast food. Founded in Kalamazoo in 1984, the chain caught Taco Bell's attention in 1990, only to be sold six years later. Multiple ownership changes followed, culminating in a 2004 bankruptcy filing. STEN Corporation acquired the diminished chain for just $175,000 in 2005.

The lone survivor in Sturgis, Michigan, has operated continuously since 1990, serving as both a time capsule and proof of concept. That location will remain open as the brand expands.

Gun Lake Investments, owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (Gun Lake Tribe), brings serious business credentials to the table. Their portfolio includes multiple commercial properties throughout Michigan.

Construction on the Alpena location at 320 Johnson Street begins soon, with an October opening targeted. The company has launched hot-n-now.com for updates and is actively exploring additional locations, though they're taking a measured approach.

"There has been significant interest in the franchise, as we expected," Konczak said. "But we also want to walk before we run."

by Alex Bailey | July 22, 2025 | SHARE