HuHot Mongolian Grill
HuHot Mongolian Grill is an American restaurant chain specializing in a create-your-own stir fry cuisine (Mongolian barbecue) with its headquarters in Missoula, Montana. As of March 2017, there are over 70 HuHot Mongolian Grills in 18 states, with the vast majority located in the Midwest and Mountain West states.[1]
Founded | 1999 |
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History
The first HuHot, then called Mongo's,[2] was built in Missoula, Montana in 1999 by the Vap family. Due to the family's experience as Godfather's Pizza franchisees, they were familiar with franchising[3] and knew a fellow restaurateur based in the Midwest who was interested in the concept. From there, it grew by word-of-mouth.[2]
The first franchised HuHot was built in Omaha, Nebraska in 2002. There are currently 70 locations in 18 states. About one third are corporate-owned and the rest are franchised.
HuHot had originally opened as "Mongo’s" but when the company decided to franchise, they found that name was already trademarked. They chose the name HuHot, from Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia.[4]
Murals
The walls of each HuHot Mongolian Grill location are covered in hand-painted murals inspired by Mongolian folk tales. Laura Blaker, a Missoula, Montana based artist travels to each new HuHot to paint its unique murals.[5]
See also
- Hohhot, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, China
References
- "Locations | HuHot Mongolian Grill". HuHot Mongolian Grill. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- Struckman, Robert (3 April 2005). "HuHot to trot— Missoula franchiser looks to aggressively expand restaurant chain". Missoulian. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- Holien, Mick (6 October 2002). "They know the grill". Missoulian. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- "HuHot to trot— Missoula franchiser looks to aggressively expand restaurant chain | Business". Missoulian.com. 2005-04-03. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
- "Work of Missoula artist adorns HuHot franchises around the country". Missoulian. Retrieved 23 May 2013.