Thunder Burgerz West is preparing to open at 521 Haywood Road in West Asheville, expanding the locally owned restaurant concept founded by Roy Trantham.
In a recent Facebook post announcing the project, Trantham said work on the new location is progressing and described Thunder Burgerz West as “coming soon.” According to the post, the restaurant will serve burgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, pizza, salads, baked potatoes, ice cream, milkshakes, and daily specials.
The new location will expand the menu offerings that have helped make the original Thunder Burgerz Grill on Smokey Park Highway a local favorite. According to the restaurant’s website, Thunder Burgerz serves burgers, hot dogs, wings, pizzas, sandwiches, hand-dipped ice cream, milkshakes, and other American comfort-food favorites.
According to Trantham, the Haywood Road restaurant is a direct expansion of the original business rather than a franchise operation.
The Thunder Burgerz website states that the concept celebrates Western North Carolina’s racing heritage, old Asheville history and the 1957 film Thunder Road, which was filmed in Asheville. The restaurant’s theme incorporates racing culture, classic automobiles, beebop music and nostalgia from a bygone era.
Once open, Thunder Burgerz West will give customers in West Asheville their first opportunity to experience the locally owned concept without traveling to the original Smokey Park Highway location. An opening date has not yet been announced.
