"Berlin franchise debuts in Munich for the initial time"
A Burger Battle Brews in Old Schwabing: Burgermeister Steps into the Fray
Stepping into the bustling AZ on a Tuesday, you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd stumbled into a burger festival. A serpentine line snakes through the venue, with patrons eager to get their hands on the newest addition to Schwabing's burger scene – Burgermeister. Two towering screens display the burger orders like a ticker tape, a telltale sign of fast food's allure.
The unassuming interior, characterized by light tiles and verdant accents, offers a stark contrast to the festivities. A simple cheeseburger will set you back 5.99 euros, but the menu also boasts a selection of cookies (3.90 euros) and milkshakes (5.10 euros). Simon Büttner, Chief Marketing Officer of Burgermeister, tells AZ that they're all about straight-up, no-frills burgers, freshly prepared with home-grown ingredients.
The entrance of Burgermeister heralds the departure of Occam Deli, which vacated Feilitzschstraße 15 at the end of 2024, due to the landlord refusing to renew the lease. Operator Markus Thatenhorst feared that a chain would take its place, not ideal for the city, he said. Rumors of Burgermeister camped out in the premises made headlines in AZ at the end of 2024.
Burgermeister kicked off its Munich chapter last Saturday, drawing an "overwhelming" response from patrons, according to Büttner. The location saw nonstop traffic from opening bell, with over 3000 burgers sold on the debut day. Future expansion plans for a Munich takeover involve one to two more branches, Büttner revealed.
Wedekindplatz is basking in the glow of the sun, and students Luca Beslmüller (20) and Heinrich Angerstein (20) are no exception. Angerstein, a local resident, confesses that his parents aren't as enthused by the culinary scene as he is, but the high turnover ensures an array of options. The two don't mind the predominance of chains as long as the quality is good.
Two gentlemen enjoying their lunch break share a less optimistic perspective. They express concern over the influx of chains, which they feel displaces the quirky, individual establishments that once populated the area. They reminisce about a time when new shops brought innovation to the neighborhood and hope for its return.
AZ reader Günther Glasl (71) from Garching finds the food offerings surrounding Wedekindplatz less appealing, but he occasionally ventures out for a meal at Wirtshaus Trumpf or Kritisch. For Burgermeister, competition breeds motivation, according to Büttner. Time will tell if the burger joint can stand the test of Munich's burger battlefield.
Amidst the lively atmosphere of AZ, Burgermeister's entrance signals a change in the food-and-drink landscape, offering a new lifestyle option for patrons with its straight-forward no-frills burgers. In the home-and-garden setting of Wedekindplatz, as students savor the variety of food-and-drink establishments, some locals express concern about the growing shift towards chain restaurants, yearning for the innovation and individuality of the past.
