News

German-born college students growing fast casual concept in Texas

September 11, 2013

While studying in 2008, at Southern Methodist University in Texas, German-born college students Michael Heyne and Dominik Stein craved their favorite street food from home but couldn't find "döner kebaps" anywhere. The grilled meat sandwiches are Germany's top-selling fast food meal, and vendors sell them on nearly every street corner, according to www.hilltopviewsonline.com.

The void led the duo to create and launch Verts, a fast casual restaurant chain that started with two stores on the University of Texas at Austin's campus in August 2011, when they returned to Texas for graduate school. The CEOs and business partners now have seven locations and are opening 12 more in the next year.

Although Heyne and Stein have tried to stay true to their German roots, they have changed the recipes a bit to cater to Americans. For example, a typical döner kebap in Germany has grilled, seasoned meat on bread with cabbage, lettuce, onion and tomatoes and comes with only two sauce options. Verts, however, offers a variety of fresh vegetables and five sauces. The restaurant also offers a bowl and a wrap version of the fare, and all meals come in a snack or regular size.

Heyne and Stein said they are ready to grow their concept into a major chain.

"All the effort, including switching a continent, would not be worth it for just a few restaurants," Heyne said in the story.

Read more about growth.