Burger House is Coming to Houston

Because Houston doesn't have enough great burgers in town, Dallas' Burger House is opening here soon (through a franchisee, CWKS Enterprises, Inc.). They're looking to open the first Houston location in the Rice Village area next year.

Founded in 1951, the Burger House is considered a Dallas institution and was named "top hamburger place in Texas" in a book titled, Hamburger America (2009).

Want to know more? We've copied and pasted the entire press release for your viewing pleasure.

The Burger House, a Dallas hamburger and fries institution since 1951, is coming to Houston, thanks to a local investment company, CWKS Enterpirses [sic], Inc.

C. Keith Hudson, President of the Houston-based Charter Franchise Services, which created and sells franchises for the 60-year-old establishment, has announced that Houston-based CWKS Enterprises Inc., among whose members include Southern Methodist University alumni who spent many college hours dining at the hamburger hangout, has purchased franchise rights in the Houston area. The company has begun searching locations in the Rice Village/University area and hopes to open the first store in 2012.

The Burger House has a seven locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and eighth location in Lubbock.

The Burger House first opened in 1951 as neighborhood hangout selling burgers, fries and individually-made malts and shakes. One of the things that quickly caught the attention of diners and made the three-employee operation an instant hit was owner Jack Koustobardis’ “secret salt.” This special seasoning, refined by Koustobardis over the years became so popular, it’s now packaged and sold in all Burger House locations and on the internet.

Koustobardis continued running the popular eat spot for 31 years, finally selling it to the present owners, Angelo S. Chantilis and Steve G. Canellos, in 1982. The original burgers, fries, shakes and malts are still on the menu and prepared the same way. Chicken sandwiches and a children’s menu have been added. The two men’s sons, Christopher Canellos and Angelo Chantilis, Jr. (Sonny) have joined the venture as well.

Accolades have been many, including numerous local and state awards. The most recent recognition came in 2009 in a top-selling book called Hamburger America by George Motz, in which Motz named Burger House the top hamburger place in Texas.

Founded by Hudson, Charter Franchise Services is one of a very few full-service franchising companies in South and Midwest. Among its current clients are La Paletera, with nearly three dozen locations open or under development in Texas and Louisiana; the famed San Antonio Italian restaurant concepts, Luciano’s and Danny’s Restaurant in the Valley.

Hudson is one of a select group of national business men and women to achieve the title of Certified Franchise Executive through the prestigious Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. He currently serves on the IFA’s Franchise Political Action Committee and on its Membership Committee.

For more information on Charter and Burger House, call 713-622-9500 or visit the web site, www.charterfranchisegroup.com.