Flint’s Food Scene Just Got Bigger: The Story Behind Michigan’s First MOOYAH

FLINT, Michigan — When a national franchise makes its Michigan debut, most people expect it to land in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, maybe even Grand Rapids. But this time, the first MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes in the state chose a different kind of story. It chose Flint. And for owner and longtime Flint resident Walid Bounenni, that choice wasn’t about market trends or population size. It was personal.

The arrival of MOOYAH signals more than another spot to grab a burger. The fast-casual chain, known for its customizable burgers and hand-cut fries, chose Flint as its entry point into the state — a decision that might surprise some, especially with larger markets nearby.

Bounenni, who has called Flint home since 1999 and built multiple businesses here, saw franchising not as an escape from the city but as a way to pour back into it. His journey took him from researching opportunities in early 2023 to visiting MOOYAH’s Texas headquarters to falling in love with a burger that felt “fresh, healthy, and didn’t bother my belly after.”

Now open and ready to serve, Flint’s MOOYAH enters a landscape rich with beloved local burger joints — and still manages to carve out space for something new. With Certified Angus Beef, hand-cut Idaho fries, and inclusive menu options ranging from keto to vegan, the Flint location is positioning itself not just as a franchise but as a neighbor. And for the owner, this is just the beginning.

Flintside sat down with Bounenni to talk about why Flint was the right fit, how the opportunity came together, and what the community can expect from the city’s newest burger spot.

Flintside: Can you share a little about your background and your connection to Flint and Genesee County? 

W. Bounenni: “I have lived in Flint since 1999. I’ve owned a few different businesses, including the BTA Martial Arts School and WB Wholesale.”

Flintside: Flint is the first city in Michigan to get a MOOYAH location. What ultimately made it the right place to introduce the brand to the state, rather than a larger market like Lansing or Detroit?

W. Bounenni: “Flint is my city. Flint made me the person I am, and I wanted to give back to the city that gave me so much. I love to help my community and my city get better. I’m planning to take this brand to other cities in the area as well, but I wanted to start with my city first.”

Flintside: What went into that decision-making process? Was this something you’d been planning for a long time, or did the opportunity pop up unexpectedly?

W. Bounenni: “Success never comes by accident; you study, you plan, you execute your plan, and work hard. Back in early 2023, I started [researching] different franchise opportunities. I chose franchising because I wanted to leverage a system not based on my own effort. After going through many options, I found MOOYAH. I spoke with the corporate team, and they invited me to their headquarters in Texas. The team took me to one of the local MOOYAH restaurants, where I got to try various burgers and fries. I fell in love — it felt fresh, healthy, and didn’t bother my belly after. I decided to bring the brand to Michigan, so my community can eat real food with amazing taste.” 

Flintside: A lot of your early customers will likely be Flint locals, not just travelers passing through off the highway or airport. Do you have plans to engage with the community through events, partnerships, charity work, or involvement with local organizations?

W. Bounenni: “I look forward to partnering with local charity organizations and hope to cater to some of these community events.”

Flintside: MOOYAH is known for its customizable burgers, hand-cut fries, and real ice cream shakes. Can you talk to me about some of the brand’s food philosophy? How do you approach the way you build a burger?

W. Bounenni: “MOOYAH is known for using what we call CAB: Certified Angus Beef — fresh, not frozen. We also specialize in hand-cut Idaho potato fries that are freshly made to order, never in advance. Our fresh ingredients give us the flexibility to offer build-your-own gluten-free, keto, and vegan options. The shakes are amazing as well, made from real ice cream. Our food quality and freshness are unmatchable. MOOYAH is the perfect fast-casual burger option for everyone.”

Flintside: For Flint residents who might be trying MOOYAH for the first time, what menu items do you expect to be a local favorite?

W. Bounenni: “It depends on the person and if they are following a certain lifestyle, but honestly, everything tastes incredible. I recommend trying a different type of burger every time.”

Flintside: Some franchise restaurants eventually introduce city-specific specials or limited-time items/events. Do you see the Flint location ever offering anything unique like this to the community?

W. Bounenni: “I follow MOOYAH’s proven success strategy and will implement any location-specific happenings with their support.”

Flintside: Because the Flint location is operating out of a less traditional, compact store layout, were there any menu adjustments you had to make? Or is this the full MOOYAH experience customers could find at every location?

W. Bounenni: “We offer the same MOOYAH experience that one can find at any other location.”

Flintside: Opening a restaurant today can seem like an incredible challenge to most. Did you face any unexpected hurdles during the opening process?

W. Bounenni: “We faced many challenges, particularly with the construction of the store. That’s why it took longer than expected to open. But now we are open and serving the community delicious meals.”

You can find MOOYAH located at 4481 Bristol Road, in the travel center near the intersection of Bristol Road and Linden Road.