North Carolina-based Americana burger chain Hwy 55 is growing — and evolving.
2021 is the beginning of a multi-year expansion plan that shifts the chain’s location focus from shopping centers to stand-alone units.
Five stand-alone stores are currently open and operating: Lillington, Mt. Olive, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Fayetteville, Tennessee; and Ennis, Texas.
By the end of 2021, Hwy 55 will have opened seven stand-alone locations, and plans are underway to open 18 more in 2022. Locations are in the works in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
This expansion is accompanied by an extensive upgrade to all aspects of operations. Cookline equipment has been modernized for optimum performance and speed of service. Double drive-thru lanes will be incorporated into many of the 2022 site plans. And curbside service will be offered for online orders.
The chain, previously known for its vintage ’50's decor and music, is also rebranding and broadening its focus to include the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s in order to provide a nostalgic All-American experience to guests across a greater age range.