West Michigan diners can soon relive a drive‑thru legend. Gun Lake Investments and developer Jeff Konczak confirmed Tuesday that Hot ‘n Now will fire up the grills again this summer at 1146 129th Ave., just off US‑131 in Wayland Township.
Will it taste like the ’90s—yet stay affordable in 2025? That’s the promise driving the comeback. The revived chain plans “wallet‑friendly prices,” though not the fabled 39‑cent burgers. GLI chief executive Monica King says the menu will keep inflation in check without sacrificing quality or value.
New Wayland restaurant will rise fast thanks to plug‑and‑play drive‑thru buildings
Konczak’s firm, B Cubed Manufacturing, is assembling the entire restaurant off‑site. Everything—wiring, plumbing, even kitchen gear—arrives ready to serve. “If you drive by in the morning and see dirt, you’ll drive home to a finished building,” he explained. The streamlined model should head off the construction delays that plague many quick‑service projects. What can you order on day one? Check out these early highlights:
- olive burger reboot
- crispy cheesy taters
- classic shakes in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry
Still hungry? A value‑combo lineup is in the works so parents won’t flinch at checkout.
Alpena location set for fall while additional Michigan cities wait in the wings
GLI has already penciled in a second opening at 320 Johnson St. in Alpena. Other communities are under review, but King insists the focus is “getting Wayland and Alpena perfect” before expanding.
| Michigan location | Target opening window |
|---|---|
| Wayland Township (Gun Lake Casino) | Summer 2025 — grand‑opening date TBA |
| Alpena (Johnson St.) | Fall 2025 |
Remember Hot ‘n Now’s roots? Founded in Kalamazoo in 1984, the chain sprinted nationwide before sliding into bankruptcy twenty years later. Now, with tribal investment and modular tech, it hopes to recapture the speed and savings that once made it a cult favorite.
So, will you line up for that first olive burger or wait to see if the prices really stay low? Either way, the neon arrow is pointing back toward West Michigan’s taste buds. Hot ‘n Now’s comeback pairs nostalgia with a construction model built for speed, a value‑focused menu, and a promise of more Michigan sites if the first two succeed.