Mr. Burger Goes West

Randy West of Bella Vista, who, along with his wife Susan, purchased Mr. Burger last October, is sprucing up the chain’s seven burger joints.

West is installing lighted awnings on two of Mr. Burger’s four Fayetteville eateries. He’s painting the one in Prairie Grove and adding picnic tables there. And he’s redoing the sign at the Mr. Burger at the corner of North Street and Garland Avenue in Fayetteville.

Based in Fayetteville, Mr. Burger, which turned 25 years old this year, is the city’s oldest hamburger chain. Besides Fayetteville and Prairie Grove, Mr. Burger also has one location each in both Springdale and Russellville.

Mr. Burger was established by Hugh and Charlotte Smith of Fayetteville, who owned the chain for 24 years before selling to West. The only change West made to the food was to improve on the french fry. “It’s coated so it holds its temperature better,” he says.

West says sales have “picked up quite a bit” since he purchased the chain. He’s considering adding more branches in the future.

Before buying Mr. Burger, West owned Bug Busters, a pest control business.