Local restaurateur introduces burger concept

Frisco, Texas based MOOYAH Burgers, Fries, and Shakes announced to Historic City News that St. Augustine entrepreneur David J. Tennyson and his partner, Justin Church, have been awarded the rights to develop MOOYAH restaurants throughout northern and central Florida as well as the state’s west coast.

The emerging fast-casual brand currently has more than 22 open locations across the country.

Tennyson and Church are experienced restaurateurs; Tennyson is a native of St. Augustine, and has been in the franchise business since 1989 and a franchisee in Florida since 2003.

Over the next several years, Tennyson will concentrate in St. Johns County and the other northeastern Florida counties of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Flagler, Volusia and Brevard.

“I am excited to introduce the MOOYAH experience to Florida residents; it is one of the most exciting franchise concepts to arrive in a long time,” Tennyson said. “I see huge opportunities for growth in the better burger segment and our brand is the natural choice for a high-quality, family friendly product poised for success.”

“Besides,” Tennyson added, “who doesn’t love a good hamburger?”

After working in his family’s franchisee business for more than ten years, Church is relocating from Tennessee to Tampa where he will oversee the development of new restaurants in key cities including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Lake Placid, Fort Myers and Naples.

According to the announcement, “MOOYAH is dedicated to delivering a superior restaurant experience in a fun and family-friendly environment.”

The brand boasts fresh-cut potatoes cooked in oil that’s free of trans-fat, freshly baked buns made daily at the restaurants, and 100 percent lean American beef that’s never frozen and has no additives, fillers or preservatives. And, what better to accompany a burger than a thick and frosty milkshake made with 100 percent ice cream available in America’s most popular flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and of course, Oreo.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News archive photograph