Big Burger Deal

New owner takes over Texas burger chain Hopdoddy with eye on growth

It sounds like growth is coming for Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

Hopdoddy/Facebook

Austin-born chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar is now under new ownership. Founders Table Restaurant Group has acquired the burger business and aims to apply its "robust non-traditional licensing program" as it grows, a press release says.

Hopdoddy was founded in 2010 and now has 47 locations across the U.S., including more than 30 in Texas and three in Dallas. It combines a fast-casual atmosphere with a gourmet ethos, serving burgers piled high with specialty ingredients like goat cheese, roasted tomatoes instead of slices, habaneros, and a variety of sauces. Non-beef patties are another specialty, including chicken, ahi tuna, and vegetable patties.

Founders Table has more than 200 restaurants across 18 states in its portfolio. Those include Protein Bar & Kitchen, Chopt, Dos Toros, and Field Trip. According to a press release, each of its brands emphasizes regional development.

Restaurant Business reported that the company would "continue to target non-traditional venues, including healthcare, education and transportation centers." That could mean that diners can expect to see more Hopdoddy locations in non-traditional spaces. The release does confirm that the acquisition means growth is coming.

"Hopdoddy is a standout brand with all the ingredients we look for: a differentiated concept, passionate guest loyalty, and a commitment to quality that resonates across markets," says Founders Table CEO Nick Marsh in the release. "We strongly believe in the power of the Founder's Table platform to accelerate growth, and this partnership marks an exciting step forward as we help Hopdoddy scale thoughtfully while staying true to the guest experience at the heart of the brand.”

Hopdoddy CEO Jeff Chandler will transition to an advisory role, ending 10 years in the top position. In February of this year, Chandler told Restaurant Business that he hoped to 14-16 new locations per year sometime after 2029. At the time, the brand was owned by private equity firm L Catterton. Harrington Park Advisors advised Hopdoddy on the transition.

Kenny Jett, formerly VP of operations, will become Hopdoddy's president.

"I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand what makes this brand so special — from our incredible team members to the loyal guests who support us every day," says Jett in the release. "I'm honored to step into this role and excited to build on the strong foundation we've created as we continue growing the brand."

burgers acquisition business

Margaritas & fajitas

Dallas Mexican favorite El Molino to debut new location at Preston Royal

Photo by Samantha Marie Photography

Enchilada plate at El Molino.

A Dallas Mexican restaurant that quickly built a following for its wood-fired fajitas and flaming margaritas is expanding with a second high-profile location. El Molino, from Vandelay Companies, will open Monday, August 10 in Preston Royal Shopping Center.

According to a release, the new restaurant will take over the former Anchor Sushi Bar space at 6025 Royal Ln., Ste. 250.

The opening comes about 10 months after El Molino debuted in Snider Plaza, where it introduced a menu centered on wood-fired fajitas in a cozy, upscale atmosphere. It earned much acclaim and even garnered a nomination for Best New Restaurant in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

According to the release, the new restaurant spans 6,000 square feet - significantly larger than the 83-seat original - and will feature an expanded menu while maintaining the neighborhood feel of the Snider Plaza location.

Entrees, chips, queso, and margs at El Molino.Photo by Samantha Marie Photography

At the heart of the menu is still El Molino's wood-fired fajita program, with options including USDA Prime tenderloin, grilled chicken, jumbo tiger shrimp, marinated prime ribeye, and combination platters.

Other dishes include queso, elote corn chowder, fresh tuna nachos, tacos, enchiladas, salads, and entrées such as the Las Vegas Ribeye, Crispy Shrimp Brochette, Filet Mignon Famosa, and Grilled Sonora Quail.

The beverage program includes the restaurant's signature Flaming Margarita, frozen margaritas in flavors such as passion fruit, pineapple jalapeño, cherry vanilla, and mango, plus handcrafted cocktails and sipping tequilas.

El Molino Flaming margaritas are a must.Photo by Samantha Marie Photography

According to the release, the Preston Hollow location will also offer a daily happy hour from 3-6 pm at the bar with discounted frozen flaming margaritas, house margaritas, and sangria.

“The response to El Molino since its debut has exceeded our expectations, making Preston Hollow a natural next step for the brand,” says Hunter Pond, founder, chairman, and CEO of Vandelay Companies, in the release. “This larger location allows us to welcome even more guests while building upon the food, hospitality and overall experience that have made the Snider Plaza restaurant so successful.”

El Molino The Preston-Royal location will take over the former Anchor Sushi Bar space.Photo by Samantha Marie Photography

Pond also addressed the closure of Anchor Sushi Bar and why El Molina made sense to take over its spot.

“We intentionally opened Anchor Bar in two very different footprints to determine the best long-term model for the brand,” said Hunter Pond, founder, chairman, and CEO of Vandelay Companies, in a statement. “What we learned is that Anchor is at its best in a more intimate setting, like our Knox location, and that's the format we'll continue to expand. A larger footprint is much better suited for a high-energy Tex-Mex concept like El Molino, making Preston Royal the ideal home for its next chapter.”

Once it opens August 10, the Preston Hollow location of El Molina will be open for lunch and dinner, 11 am-9 pm Sunday-Wednesday and 11 am-10 pm Thursday-Saturday.

mexican cuisine preston hollow snider plaza preston royal openings