Father and son team Terrell and Brett Rhye will be developing the new locations. They plan an estimated 23 restaurants in the Charlotte Metro area, 7 in the Asheville area, 16 in the Piedmont Triad and 9 in the Unifour, as well as restaurants in smaller markets like Boone and Highlands. Terrell, a native of Mooresville, N.C., is the founder of successful real estate firm InterSouth. He and son Brett, age 26, had been looking for a concept to invest in for several years when they happened upon Hwy 55.
"We wanted a proven concept with a vibrant and inspiring corporate culture," said Brett. "When we met Kenny and saw his passion for making others successful, we knew we'd found the right people."
Kenny Moore, founder and president of Mount Olive, N.C.-based Highway 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries, has used the philosophy of servant leadership—meeting the needs of others before one's own—to grow the business he originally opened in 1991 with $500 to his name to systemwide sales of approximately $50 million in 2010.
Highway 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries is all about the American classics that people know and love, with a background of old-time rock n' roll music and '50s diner décor setting the stage for a mouth-watering menu that features Highway 55's famous hand pattied cheeseburgers, fresh-made frozen custard, mouthwatering cheesesteak sandwiches, shrimp burgers and much more. Highway 55 currently has 100 locations, mostly in the eastern part of North Carolina, and currently has 325 locations in development throughout the Southeast. Area development agreements are in the works to open 100 locations in Florida—with the first location to open in Palm City—75 locations in western North Carolina, and 50 locations in South Carolina, Ohio and Virginia each.
By the end of 2017, Highway 55 envisions up to 500 locations across the country.
