Taystee’s Burgers marks 12 years of gas station dining in Michigan

Taystee’s Burgers is celebrating 12 years since founder Ali Jawad opened the first location inside his grandfather’s BP gas station in Dearborn in 2014. The Southeast Michigan chain now has 10 locations and has turned gas station dining into an award-winning burger business.

Why it matters: - Taystee’s Burgers helped turn gas station dining into a destination in Michigan, showing there is demand for fresh food in convenience locations. - The brand’s growth to 10 Southeast Michigan locations signals a model that blends convenience, family hospitality and restaurant-quality food. - Jawad’s story matters for franchise development because it shows how a small, nontraditional start can scale into a regional brand.

What happened: - Taystee’s Burgers is marking 12 years since founder Ali Jawad opened the first restaurant in 2014 inside his grandfather’s BP gas station in Dearborn. - Jawad was 21 when he invested his entire savings into the business. - Jawad’s mother, Lila, worked early mornings and late nights alongside him. - Taystee’s Burgers has grown into a 10-location brand across Southeast Michigan.

The details: - The original goal was to serve fresh, high-quality meals that would make customers rethink what they could expect from a gas station. - Taystee’s Burgers won the Detroit Burger Brawl in 2016, beating more than 20 upscale restaurants. - WDIV Detroit named Taystee’s Burgers its “Best Burger” from 2017 through 2019. - Jawad was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in the Food & Drink category in 2022. - The menu includes burgers, chicken, hot dogs, wings, wraps, bowls and sides. - The company says its locations combine convenient access to quality meals with a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere. - Taystee’s Burgers describes itself as the “Original Burger Joint in a Gas Station.” - The company says it operates primarily inside gas stations through a partnership model. - For more information, visit the company’s announcement.

Between the lines: - Taystee’s growth reflects a broader shift in what customers expect from convenience retail, especially as driving habits change. - Jawad’s continued involvement in operations and franchise development suggests the company is pursuing expansion without losing the hands-on approach that shaped the first store. - The mention of electric vehicle charging points to a future where food offerings may become a bigger part of the stop-and-go experience.

What’s next: - Taystee’s Burgers says it will keep growing intentionally while supporting franchisees and the communities it serves. - Jawad sees new opportunities for gas stations to offer more than traditional convenience-store fare as customer expectations evolve. - The brand will continue using quality food and a family-oriented model to draw repeat visits.