Hwy 55 revisited.

• Position: EASTERN REGION - Interview

When Kenney Moore started Andy's Cheesesteaks and Cheeseburgers in 1991, he had $500 in his pocket. The Mount Olive- based restaurant chain, now known as Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries, has more than 100 restaurants, employs 2,500 people and recently signed a deal to option more than 1,000 franchises across the country and internationally. Moore also recently co-wrote a book, Behind the Drive: A Story of Passion. Dreams, Demons, and Hwy 55, the Worlds Next Favorite Burger Joint. He spoke with Business North Carolina about growth, mistakes and why he's going after Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The interview was edited for length and clarity.

What has been key in recent years to the company's growth?

I won't say that I was comfortable being just in North Carolina, but when the economy took a downturn, some of my franchisees didn't have a desire to expand. Like everyone, they just wanted to hold on and see how things turned out. I looked at it totally differently. I looked at it as an opportune time to grow because I thought there were great deals out there. You always have a bit of trepidation and nervousness, but I watched Five Guys, who do something very similar to what we do, explode. Frankly, I sat here with my team one night, and I said, "What are we waiting for? We're pretty good. Let's go." And that was it. That's how the...