Michael Gould, who leads Illinois-based MJG Enterprises, acquired 18 Burger Kings in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan, bringing his total until count to 31. As the Home of the Whopper continues its broader revitalization efforts, the 71-year-old brand is “on the right path,” says Gould.
Over his four-decade journey with Burger King, Michael Gould said he’s seen it all. And it’s what he’s seeing from the brand now that gives him the confidence to continue expanding his unit count.
“I’ve seen this brand over 40 years and all the changes and evolutions and all the leadership changes that were nonstop. It seems like every other year we were getting new CEOs or presidents and stuff like that,” said Gould, who in 1985 started working as an assistant manager at a Burger King in Mount Prospect, Illinois, and today is a multi-unit franchisee. “I think the leadership team that we have in place right now, by far, has been the best that I’ve seen over the 40 years. They really understand the business and where it needs to go.”
Tom Curtis, named president of Burger King U.S. in 2021, and Patrick Doyle, the former Domino’s CEO who joined BK parent Restaurant Brands International as executive chairman in 2022, have proven particularly effective leaders, Gould said…