Twin brothers Art and Nick DePole are doubling down on Utah, signing a deal to open six additional MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes restaurants across the state, stretching from Utah County and Salt Lake County all the way to St. George and Davis County. The Texas-based fast-casual chain currently has four Utah locations, in Provo, Riverton, Sandy and South Jordan, and the new agreement would roughly double its footprint here.
The DePoles are hardly newcomers to the burger business at this point, but their path to running MOOYAH franchises started far from the fry station. As reported by KSL News, Art DePole assumed ownership of the Provo MOOYAH location in 2022, and Nick DePole is also a MOOYAH franchisee. Before that, the twins ran a multi-million-dollar sneaker e-commerce resale business, according to Nation's Restaurant News, which traces how they pivoted into restaurant ownership by opening their first MOOYAH in Times Square, New York City, back in February 2021.
That Times Square opening almost didn't happen with MOOYAH at all. Fast Casual reported that the DePole brothers had originally signed on with a different burger franchise in 2020, but abandoned the deal mid-construction over corporate complications, ultimately switching to MOOYAH because the brand and business model fit their goals better, according to Fast Casual.
Utah's Existing MOOYAH Footprint
MOOYAH came to Utah in 2016, opening its first location in Provo, per the same KSL account. That original Provo restaurant relocated in 2026 to 2319 N. 400 West, with the company citing increased visibility and accessibility as reasons for the move. The brand opened its Sandy location in 2024 and its South Jordan restaurant in 2025, rounding out the current four-store lineup in Provo, Riverton, Sandy and South Jordan.
Art DePole told the outlet that Utah's consumer landscape offers real opportunities for growth, and said fresh, higher-quality ingredients were what originally attracted him to the MOOYAH brand. That product focus is baked into the company's operating standards: MOOYAH requires hand-cut fries made from Idaho potatoes through a 24-hour, six-step preparation process, along with daily in-house baked buns and 100% Certified Angus Beef, according to the International Franchise Professionals Group. The chain, which specializes in made-to-order burgers, French fries, and ice cream shakes, was launched in 2007 and now operates more than 80 locations nationwide.
What a Six-Unit Deal Actually Costs
Signing on for six MOOYAH restaurants is not a small financial commitment. The company's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the initial investment for a standard location at between $452,050 and $990,600, including a $30,000 upfront franchise fee, according to Sharpsheets. MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes president Michael Meche said the DePoles' decision to sign on for six additional restaurants demonstrates their belief in the brand's growth potential in Utah, per KSL's reporting.
Part of that corporate confidence traces back to 2017, when MOOYAH was acquired by a private equity firm that has since poured capital into franchisee operational support, marketing and technology infrastructure, the franchise group notes. The new locations will land in Utah County, Salt Lake County, St. George and Davis County, though specific addresses and opening dates for the six restaurants have not yet been detailed.
Why Utah, and Why Now
The timing lines up with some notable growth numbers on both ends of the state. The St. George metropolitan area hit a record population of 213,670 residents in 2025, part of a regional surge that pushed local foodservice sales past $490 million in 2022, according to data cited by Trading Economics. Statewide, Utah ranked fifth in the nation for population growth between 2024 and 2025, posting a 1.0% annual increase according to Census Bureau data analyzed by the Utah Foundation.
There is also a broader industry shift working in fast-casual chains' favor. A 2026 Bank of America Securities restaurant industry report found that inflation and rising fast-food prices have narrowed the cost gap with fast-casual dining, pushing more consumers toward concepts perceived as higher quality. That trend echoes recent moves elsewhere in MOOYAH's franchise system, including a Franklin closure amid burger competition, as the chain continues to reshuffle its footprint against rivals nationwide, as per Hoodline.
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