(WAYLAND, MI) – One year after bringing an iconic Michigan brand back to life, Hot ’n Now is celebrating its first anniversary the way it knows best: with burgers, nostalgia and a price worth pulling into the drive-thru for.
To thank the fans who welcomed the brand back, Hot ’n Now will sell its signature single hamburgers and single cheeseburgers for 39 cents on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the first anniversary of its Wayland location. The throwback pricing runs from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. To keep the drive-thru moving and give every guest a chance to join in, orders are limited to one 39-cent burger per person in each vehicle.
The celebration also includes free Hot ’n Now merchandise while supplies last, plus samples of fresh-baked goods from the neighboring Sweetgrass Moon Café, which opened in April.
Since opening its doors in October 2025, Hot ’n Now has welcomed tens of thousands of guests, heard countless memories from longtime fans and introduced the brand to a new generation. Guests have also shared plenty of ideas along the way, and the team has put them to work.
Over the past year, Hot ’n Now has upgraded the experience based directly on that guest input. Olive burgers are now made fresh to order with a house-made olive spread. Buns and burgers now reach the window hotter, and a seasoned crew is delivering even faster service.
More upgrades arrive in time for the anniversary: an improved burger patty and onions as a new topping option.
Through every change, Hot ’n Now is staying true to the simple, streamlined menu that made it a Michigan favorite when it launched in 1984. That focus is what keeps the drive-thru lightning-fast.
“We knew bringing back a brand that means so much to so many people would come with high expectations,” said Paul Bussey, senior portfolio associate at Gun Lake Investments. “The support over the past year has been overwhelming, and our guests have told us exactly what they love and what they want more of. We listened. Our goal was never just to bring Hot ’n Now back. It was to keep making it better and build something worthy of the memories people have of this brand.”
“Hot ’n Now holds a special place in Michigan’s memory, and our first year showed us exactly what guests love and expect from it,” said Trevor Nichols, interim CEO of Gun Lake Investments. “Getting those fundamentals right today builds a stronger brand for the years ahead.”
For Hot ’n Now, the first anniversary celebrates how far the brand has come and where it is headed next. On Oct. 13, guests are invited to grab a 39-cent burger, pick up free merchandise and help Hot ’n Now mark one year back in business. Hot ’n Now is located at 1150 129th Avenue in Wayland, across the street from the Gun Lake Casino and Resort.
