Hot 'n Now 1930230 219284365 2008-06-14T13:56:23Z TenPoundHammer 736168 add {{articleissues |expand=May 2008 |refimprove=May 2008 }}{{Infobox Company | name = Hot 'n Now | logo = [[Image:Hotnnow.jpg]] | type = private | foundation = 1984 | founder = William Van Domelen | location_city = [[Holt, Michigan]] | location_country = [[USA]] | locations = 8 | area_served = [[Michigan]], [[Wisconsin]] | key_people = | industry = [[Fast food]] | products = [[Hamburger]]s<br />[[French fries]]<br />[[Soft drink]]s<br />[[Milkshake]]s<br />[[Fried chicken]] | owner = ? | num_employees = | parent = | subsid = | homepage = }} '''Hot 'n Now''' is an American [[fast-food restaurant]] chain based in [[Holt, Michigan]]. Founded in 1984, the chain grew to more than 150 locations throughout the United States at its peak. Once under the ownership of [[PepsiCo]], the chain filed for bankruptcy in the 2004, and was then sold to STEN Corporation. As of 2008, Hot 'n Now operates seven locations in Michigan, plus one in [[Wisconsin]]. ==History== Hot 'n Now was founded in [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]] in [[1984]] by William Van Domelen<ref name="no">{{cite web |url=http://www.zarcolawfirm.com/CM/News/news29.asp |title=No Quiero Taco Bell: Did new parent drive its Hot 'n Now drive-through burger chain into the ground with bad ideas, or did franchise fail to keep up? |accessdate=2008-06-13 |last=Richardson |first=James M. |date=1998-12-07 |work=Miami Daily Business Review}}</ref> and began [[franchising]] activities in [[1987]]. The chain was noted for its low prices, fast services, and no-frills restaurant designs.<ref name="no"> By 1990, the chain operated more than 150 stores in 15 different states. That same year, it was acquired by [[PepsiCo]], which placed operations under its [[Taco Bell]] branch.<ref name="findarticles">http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_11_39/ai_n13468480 Onetime PepsiCo chain Hot 'N Now sold for $175k - Findarticles.com</ref> [[Image:Lapeer Hot N Now Menu - 2007.jpg|thumb|Typical Hot 'n Now Menu]] As the chain grew quickly, the quality of the product began to decline. Low-quality food products and competition from [[McDonald's]] and [[Burger King]] have been cited as reasons for Hot 'n Now's downfall.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In 2004 the company filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 Bankruptcy]]<ref name="findarticles">http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_11_39/ai_n13468480 Onetime PepsiCo chain Hot 'N Now sold for $175k - Findarticles.com</ref>; a year later, it was sold to [http://www.stencorporation.com/ STEN Corporation], which also owns the [[Burger Time]] chain. In 2001, 67 locations were still open,<ref>http://www.rimag.com/archives/2001/02b/sr-drive-thru.asp Life in the Fast Lane</ref> but by 2005, only 14 remained. The majority of the chain's locations focused entirely on [[drive-thru]] service, featuring a small footprint building with a tall, slanted roof style. However, some locations were more traditional fast-food locations, complete with seating; some were also combined with [[gas station]]s.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pwwi/is_200311/ai_mark1365054572 Hot Brands, Inc. Announces New Modern Store Design and Employee Image</ref> The chain is still operating in Michigan, with locations in [[Bay City, Michigan|Bay City]], [[Chesterfield, Michigan|Chesterfield]], [[Lapeer, Michigan|Lapeer]], [[Mount Pleasant, Michigan|Mount Pleasant]], [[Roseville, Michigan|Roseville]], [[Saginaw, Michigan|Saginaw]], and [[Sturgis, Michigan|Sturgis]]; there is also one location in [[Marshfield, Wisconsin]].{{Fact|date=May 2008}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.franchiseadvantage.com/handbook/HotNNowHamburgers.ihtml About Hot 'n Now] * [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_11_39/ai_n13468480 Article on Hot 'n Now's bankruptcy] [[Category:Fast-food hamburger restaurants]] [[Category:Regional restaurant chains]] [[Category:Companies based in Michigan]] [[Category:Companies established in 1984]] [[Category:Ingham County, Michigan]] [[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]] [[Category:PepsiCo]] [[Category:Taco Bell]]