Burgaw Now Launches Own Your Own
“In late 2022, Burgaw Now founder Richard Johnson launched a new company, Own Your Own, to give want-to-be entrepreneurs nationwide the opportunity to open small businesses.”
Since its launch in 2018, Burgaw Now has built two new restaurants: Fat Daddy’s, our retro, NY-style pizzeria, and Burgaw Brewing, Burgaw’s first brewpub. In late 2022, Burgaw Now founder Richard Johnson launched a new company, Own Your Own, to give want-to-be entrepreneurs nationwide the opportunity to open small businesses.
Our first project will be a new Burgaw restaurant, the owner of which will be determined by a nationwide contest which is now underway. The winner will receive up to $1 million dollars to work with the OYO team to design and build the restaurant of their dreams at 106 and 108 Courthouse Avenue.
We’re excited to report that as of mid-February, we have over 415 applicants from 25 states! We’ve been amazed at the level of experience, passion for the restaurant industry, and love of Burgaw that so many of these applicants have expressed.
The application period will continue through March 31st while our team organizes the next rounds of competition. We will eventually narrow the field to approximately 24 finalists who will travel to Burgaw to compete in a series of challenges, including an event on the town square where the community will have the chance to vote on their favorite dishes.
We’re fortunate to have the help of four outstanding local judges to help us select the best owner and concept: Myra McDuffie of Mema’s Chick’n & Ribs, Christi Ferretti of Pine Valley Market, Keith Rhodes of Catch, and Dean Neff of Seabird.
The OYO team is hopeful that this competition will help lay the groundwork for future competitions that can be held in other small towns just like Burgaw.
If you or someone you know might be interested in applying, visit ownyourown.com to apply by March 31, 2023.
We encourage you to follow us on social media for updates on the competition and to learn more about the OYO team and dream!