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Hy-Vee to convert all Market Grille restaurants to Wahlburgers

Grocer to phase out its full-service restaurant concept by this summer

Russell Redman

March 12, 2020

2 Min Read
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Currently, Hy-Vee has 21 Market Grille restaurants inside or adjoining stores in five states.Hy-Vee

Aligning with changing customer tastes, Midwestern grocer Hy-Vee aims to discontinue its Market Grille full-service restaurant concept and convert all 21 locations to Wahlburgers fast-casual restaurants.

A Hy-Vee spokeswoman confirmed the plan Thursday after news of the change emerged earlier this week. The West Des Moines, Iowa-based retailer operates Market Grilles in five states: Minnesota (nine locations), Iowa (six), Illinois (three), Missouri (two) and Nebraska (one). All of the restaurants are within or abutting Hy-Vee stores, with direct access for customers.

A franchise partner of Hingham, Mass.-based Wahlburgers, Hy-Vee will own and operate all of the converted locations, according to Christina Gayman, public relations director at Hy-Vee. Plans call for the Market Grille locations to be remodeled into Wahlburgers restaurants during the spring.

“Our customers are wanting more fresh and convenient meal options. Our 21 Hy-Vee Market Grille full-service restaurants will transition to casual, counter-service Wahlburgers restaurants by early summer,” Gayman said in an emailed statement. “During this transition, the dining area will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and will serve a modified Market Grille menu, including breakfast, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and other daily specials that can be ordered at a kiosk. The full-service bar will remain.”

Related:Hy-Vee set to open Wahlburgers in Milwaukee

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Hy-Vee opened its first Wahlburgers in May 2018 at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.

Wahlburgers restaurants serve signature burgers as well as made-from-scratch recipes, homestyle dishes, fish, chicken and vegetarian options. They also house a full bar, including specialty drinks like adult frappes and floats.

In 2017, Hy-Vee unveiled plans to build, own and operate 26 Wahlburgers restaurants. The supermarket retailer opened its first Wahlburgers in May 2018 inside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. There are now six Hy-Vee Wahlburgers locations, the most recent being a 6,100-square-foot restaurant opening last month in Maple Grove, Minn. In January, Hy-Vee also opened a 5,300-square-foot Wahlburgers in Milwaukee. The other three locations are in Brookfield, Wis.; West Des Moines, Iowa; and Olathe, Kan.

The Market Grille conversions, when completed, will give Hy-Vee 27 Wahlburgers locations overall. Gayman said grand opening dates and details on the new Wahlburgers are upcoming.

Though the full-service Market Grille concept is being phased out, Hy-Vee will still operate more than 100 Market Grille Express outlets across its eight-state market area. At the Express locations, customers walk up and order their food and then have it brought out to them. The menu includes breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, side dishes, desserts and a range of beverages.

Related:Hy-Vee plans to open Smokey Row Coffee cafés

Wahlburgers currently has 32 restaurants in 18 states, plus two locations in Canada and one apiece in the United Kingdom and Germany. Chef Paul Wahlberg launched the fast-casual restaurant franchise with his celebrity brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg in 2011.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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