Hy-Vee and Wahlburgers Announce First Full-Service Restaurant at Mall of America®
November 21, 2017 | News & Press Releases
Top tourist destination, shopping complex to feature newest location
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (Nov. 21, 2017) — Hy-Vee, Inc. announced today that it will open its first Wahlburgers restaurant franchise at the Mall of America® in Bloomington, Minnesota, this summer.
The 5,500-square-foot Wahlburgers will be located on Level 2, North at Mall of America and will offer a unique dining experience featuring signature burgers, home-style sides, housemade condiments, fish, chicken and vegetarian options, and a full bar including specialty drinks such as adult frappes and floats.
“Hy-Vee is excited to launch the first of many new restaurants in partnership with Wahlburgers, and to bring a new dining experience to the Twin Cities,” said Randy Edeker, chairman of the board, CEO and president of Hy-Vee. “Families will enjoy great food in a fun atmosphere, served with the excellent customer service and hospitality that Hy-Vee and Wahlburgers are known for.”
Chef Paul Wahlberg created the franchise along with two of his brothers, actors Mark and Donnie, to please all tastes through both lighter and heartier menu offerings, served up in casual, music-filled atmosphere.
“Families will have a great time, and hopefully share a lot of laughs and love when they enjoy my family’s delicious recipes at our new Walburgers in one of the top tourist spots in America,” Chef Paul said. “Along with Hy-Vee, my family is committed to offering a unique culinary experience that goes beyond the basic burger, with customer service that will make you feel like family.”
Carrie Charleston, vice president of leasing for Mall of America, said the mall is committed to offering an eclectic mix of cuisine options – from fast food to fine dining.
“We are thrilled to be the first Wahlburgers location in Minnesota so our guests visiting from all over the world will have the opportunity to witness the top-notch dining experience the Wahlbergs have created,” said Charleston.
Wahlburgers currently operates 17 locations in nine states and Canada. In August, Hy-Vee announced that it plans to build, own and operate 26 Wahlburgers restaurants. Plans for another Wahlburgers franchise location, scheduled to open in 2018, are underway in West Des Moines, Iowa.
In addition to the location at Mall of America, Hy-Vee will soon offer Wahlburgers-branded menu items in its full-service Hy-Vee Market Grille restaurants across its eight-state region. Hy-Vee is also a proud sponsor of the “Wahlburgers” reality TV series on the A&E network which chronicles the brothers and the restaurant franchise.
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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 245 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s 85,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com
Founded by Executive Chef Paul Wahlberg, celebrity brothers Mark and Donnie and other investors, Wahlburgers debuted in October 2011 in Hingham, Massachusetts. The subject of an A&E reality show, Wahlburgers offers a fun, casual music-filled atmosphere where guests, like family, share great food, a few laughs and lots of love. While its walls celebrate the story through photos and words of the Wahlberg brothers’ life journeys from Dorchester, Mass. neighborhood kids to rising chef and international superstars, it’s the food at Wahlburgers that takes center stage. Crafted by Chef Paul and served with heartfelt hospitality, the chef inspired menu features a variety of fresh burgers, housemade condiments, crispy haddock, seared chicken and vegetarian options. Other signature items include Mom’s Sloppy Joe, thin crispy onion rings, tater tots and thick creamy frappes and floats. Gluten free options are available. Wahlburgers’ full-service bar is a popular gathering spot offering an impressive selection of adult frappes, cocktails, wines and beers including the signature Wahlbrewski – a Harpoon Brewery custom, unfiltered Pale Ale. Dedicated to giving back, Wahlburgers is active in every community it serves. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Wahlburgers offers full-service dining, counter service, take out and a full-service bar. For locations and more information visit wahlburgersrestaurant.com
Mall of America (MOA) is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America. At 5.6 million square feet, MOA boasts more than 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, the nation’s largest indoor family theme park featuring 27 rides; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, home to sharks, sting rays and an amazing underwater tunnel; FlyOver America a 4D immersive flight adventure; Crayola Experience; Rainforest Café; Hard Rock Café; the nation’s longest indoor zip line and an 18-hole mini golf course. The Mall, a top American tourist and vacation destination, opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to the MSP International Airport. Mall of America hosts more than 400 events annually, including concerts, book signings, celebrity meet-and-greets and community-focused cultural events.