Juicy Joint, the halal Wagyu smash burger and hot dog concept that built a following out of food trucks parked across the Galleria and beyond, is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar locations in its home market, with storefronts planned for Spring and Houston proper. The brand also intends to begin franchising both Juicy Joint and its sister concept, Clutch City Cluckers, though an exact timeline has not been announced.
As reported by WhatNow, Juicy Joint currently lists locations coming soon in Spring and Houston, adding to a footprint that already includes storefronts and trucks in the Houston Galleria, Houston's Main Street corridor, Katy, Humble, Dallas, and Frisco. The outlet reports the company has at least seven locations operating across Texas and plans to open its first Houston brick-and-mortar location while beginning franchising later in 2026 or early 2027. WhatNow says it contacted founder and CEO Ahmad Kilani about the expansion plans but had not received a response before publication, and the exact opening date for the Houston storefront has not been announced.
The brand actually tested the storefront format first in North Texas. Juicy Joint debuted its first permanent brick-and-mortar at 4727 Frankford Road in Addison, Texas, in December 2025, according to Dallas Observer. Local Profile reported free burgers and other opening offers. The Addison location occupied a suite previously used by a short-lived wing restaurant.
From a Galleria Food Truck to a Growing Texas Chain
Juicy Joint launched as a mobile food truck concept in the Galleria area in October 2024, built around halal Wagyu smash burgers, prime beef smash burgers, gourmet hot dogs, chicken tenders, and loaded fries, with the brand describing its mission as filling a gap in the local halal market. The truck's opening week was no accident. Embark Marketing's account of the launch, cited by WhatNow, details a $32,000 marketing campaign that included a $15,000 appearance by Houston rapper Paul Wall, which helped push weekly revenue from $6,980 during the soft opening to $21,587 during grand opening week — a 209 percent jump.
That playbook mirrors the one Kilani used to build his first brand. He founded Clutch City Cluckers in Houston in February 2021 and, according to Voyage Houston Magazine, grew it to 13 locations within three years. Kilani immigrated to the United States in 2015 and worked in restaurant kitchens and food trucks before building out an enterprise that now spans Clutch City Cluckers, Juicy Joint, and Trippin Taco, the magazine reported.
Suburban Expansion Kept Pace With the Trucks
Juicy Joint has continued expanding its truck fleet even as it has pushed into storefronts. The chain opened a second food truck site at 1050 Katy Fort Bend Road in Katy in May 2025, an opening that included a raffle offering free food for a year, per the Katy Times. More recently, a grand-opening event was scheduled for October 17 at 1806 W. Bay Area Blvd. in the Webster-Friendswood area, featuring free entrees and giveaways, according to Community Impact.
At the Katy location, Juicy Joint's hours run until 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Whether the new brick-and-mortar stores will keep those late hours remains an open question.
What's on the Menu, and Why Halal Matters
Beyond the classic smash burger, Juicy Joint has built a following on fusion-leaning signature items, including the Eastside Sachi Dog, a Wagyu hot dog topped with gochujang sauce and beef bacon, the Dallas Observer reported. Its menu also includes a Biscoff-topped shake and burgers featuring beef bacon. The savory lineup is paired with milkshakes like Caramel Bliss and Cookies 'n' Cream Haven. Every location, per the company's own website, serves halal Wagyu smash burgers as a menu constant.
The halal certification is not incidental branding. Juicy Joint sources Zabihah Halal certified Wagyu beef from distributors adhering to Islamic dietary slaughter practices, which require a swift and humane slaughter performed according to Islamic law, the Dallas Observer reported. Hoodline describes Greater Houston's growing halal hot-chicken scene, including certification and late-night service. It has also reported on Clutch City Cluckers' expansion.
For now, the biggest questions are logistical rather than culinary. It is not yet clear how franchising will be structured between Juicy Joint and Clutch City Cluckers, what the exact lease locations and opening dates will be for the Spring and Houston storefronts, or whether the brick-and-mortar stores will hold onto the food trucks' marathon overnight hours. WhatNow's report notes those details have not been finalized publicly, and Kilani had not responded to the outlet's inquiry as of publication.
