The Counter Custom Burgers in Kahala is Now Locally Owned and Operated

 

This award-winning restaurant features delicious bites such as burgers, salads, shakes and more. Photo courtesy of The Counter.

HONOLULU, Hawaii. (October 26, 2020) – The Counter Custom Burgers® has recently changed ownership and will now be locally owned and operated by University of Hawaii graduate Jon Muranaka. The Counter is well known for its create your own burger option that allows customers to experiment with more than one million burger combinations.  Muranaka has a wide and varied background in the restaurant industry, lending his expertise in marketing, data analytics, and business development to some of Honolulu’s most prolific restaurants, ranging from fine dining to fast food. From Top of Waikiki to the International House of Pancakes and Burger King, Muranaka has worked with independent business owners and franchisees to help them get the most out of their marketing and operational dollars. He’s now using that knowledge and experience to grow his own restaurant during one of the most challenging times in history for restaurants. “I’ve always loved working in the restaurant and food industry, so when the opportunity came along to purchase The Counter, I had to take it. This is my first business to own, but I have a strong background in many aspects of the food and beverage industry, so this was a natural progression that combined my interests and experience,” Muranaka said. The Counter first became popular in Honolulu when it opened in 2009 thanks to some of the big names that were attached to it including actor Daniel Dae Kim and popular restaurateur DK Kodama. Since then The Counter’s guiding mission of challenging the traditional burger joint has remained steady throughout. The Counter Custom Burgers® gives diners a fresh, unconventional approach to creating the ultimate burger, offering over a million possible burger combinations with a choice from eight proteins, 11 distinct cheeses, 33 signature toppings, 20 unique sauces, and 11 types of buns or fresh greens. Those proteins include two vegan options, one being the Impossible®  which was introduced to Honolulu by The Counter, along with non-traditional proteins like bison and mahi mahi. Of course, beef is the most popular burger option, and The Counter offers some of the best beef out there with their hormone- and antibiotic-free Angus. Diners can choose the temperature for most of the proteins, as well as the size, which is weighed after it’s been cooked. In addition to the custom burgers, The Counter offers signature burgers that highlight some of the most popular burger combinations, all of which can be turned into a bowl, for those who want to ditch the bun. Other main course menu items include salads, sandwiches, chili, and more, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, plus a well-rounded dedicated kids menu. For diners looking for local kine options, the loco moco and teriyaki burgers make great choices. And though the burgers are the focus, diners won’t want to miss out on some of the other elements that help The Counter stand out: their appetizers and hand-scooped milkshakes. Appetizers like fries (plain, parmesan, chili/cheese, and sweet potato), buffalo cauliflower, loaded tots, and chicken wings start the meal off perfectly. The options for shakes are nearly as endless as for the burgers, with seven signature shakes, four boozy shakes, and a create your own shake menu with 14 items to choose from rounding out the meal. The Counter also offers a full service bar with cocktails, local brews and a selection of wine. From enhanced cleaning protocols, to contactless ordering and payment, to curbside pick-up, The Counter has placed great emphasis on ensuring guests are able to enjoy their meal, safely. The Counter is best experienced in person at their Kahala location (4211 Waialae Avenue), with a friendly vibe, open floor plan, and a welcoming bar that’s great for drinking draft, local craft beers. For those who aren’t quite ready to return to in-house dining, there is a variety of delivery and take out options available, including easy online ordering. And yes, the milkshakes are available for take-out, as are their family meal deals and beer and wine options.

About The Counter Founded in 2003 by Jeff Weinstein, The Counter®’s mission was to challenge the traditional burger joint. In partnership with Craig Albert, the Culver City, California-based brand grew into more than 40 domestic and international locations. The Counter® offers a fresh, unconventional approach to creating the ultimate burger, offering over a million possible burger combinations with a choice from eight proteins, 11 distinct cheeses, 33 signature toppings, 20 unique sauces and 11 types of buns or fresh greens. The Counter® offers a full-service, casual dining experience in an inviting space with industrial décor and upbeat music. Most recently, The Counter was acquired by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Kahala Brands one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of nearly 29 fast-casual and quick-service restaurant brands with approximately 3000 locations in 35 countries.   For more information about The Counter®, visit www.TheCounter.com.