Char-Grill to open near Winthrop

New burger chain will make debut in Rock Hill

By Matt Garfield - mgarfield@heraldonline.com

A pair of fast-food industry veterans has teamed up to launch a new restaurant chain that will make its debut in Rock Hill.

University Char-Grill opens next month on Cherry Road across from Winthrop University, in a spot that has sat empty since Taco Bueno closed last year.

Burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches and 20 flavors of milkshakes highlight a menu that aims for a middle ground between fast-food and formal restaurants, co-founders Bill Hamilton and Ken Starnes said.

The partners plan to open three other University Char-Grills in Charleston, Charlotte and Davidson, N.C., and their longer-term plan calls for 30 stores over the next five years. They hope to tap into America's burger craze while offering more choices than the competition.

Customers can choose combinations of burgers, chicken and fish sliders, and pair them with fries, onion rings or soup. Average combo meals will go for $7. The dining room also will have a make-your-own baked potato bar.

“We're basically trying to be between a Five Guys and a McDonald's,” Starnes said. “We don't want to be the cheapest, and we don't want to be the most expensive.”

Added Hamilton: “We're that middle-of-the-road, high-quality burger place.”

One item not on the menu is booze. Hamilton said there are no plans to serve beer.

Line of drive-throughs

In choosing the Cherry Road spot, Hamilton and Starnes have chosen a spot where several other restaurants have failed. Taco Bueno put money into a massive renovation but closed after a few months. Before that, Church's Chicken (2000-2005), Calabash Brothers (1998) and Taco Mayo (1996-1997) didn't last.

Hamilton said he and Starnes struck a lease deal with the property owner, Kuester Real Estate Services, that calls for a 10-year lease with a five-year option. He declined to go into specifics but said the agreement makes the risk more manageable.

Opening next to McDonald's isn't a bad thing, said Starnes, who figures his place will benefit from the added traffic.

“They're the big boys in the league,” Starnes said. “We'll have a niche different than them. You can't get cheese sticks and poppers and wings at McDonald's. We'll have stuff they don't offer.”

Hamilton, 58, got his start manning the grill at the original Wendy's restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. He worked for legendary Wendy's founder Dave Thomas.

By the time he left the Wendy's chain, Hamilton had risen to the level of regional vice president.

Starnes, 47, spent time at McDonald's, Captain D's and Pizza Hut over a career that started at age 14 when he dipped ice cream at Mayberry's in Raleigh, N.C.

The owners plan to paint the exterior of University Char-Grill garnet and gold to match Winthrop's colors. Students can use free Wi-Fi Internet service.

Hamilton said he learned some valuable lessons from the late Thomas, who used his folksy charm to build Wendy's into a multibillion dollar restaurant chain.

“Dave was just like he was on TV — down to earth, honest, cared about people,” Hamilton said, recalling Thomas' insistence on making the customer No. 1 in every decision. “That's what he preached every day,” Hamilton said.

The goal, Hamilton said, is to open by the second week of August, leaving enough time to prepare for the start of a new school year.