About Us

Good Times,
Happy Tummies

With fun, famous craft burgers and “sweeter-than-honeybee” hospitality, we welcome you to Willy Burger: your friendly neighborhood burger diner with fast-casual service.

In 2012, Willy Burger opened it’s rockin’, retro Airstream doors in Beaumont, Texas. With chef-driven creations and local love, Willy Burger set out to bring a Willy different burger experience to Southeast Texas.

Willy Burger took classic cheeseburgers and patty melts to new heights while introducing artful, creative flavor profiles for topping Certified Angus Beef burgers.

Willy kicked off a new era in craft burgers with expertly fried eggs, spicy Wasabi mayo, fiesty fried boudain, silky blackberry reduction sauce, and more. 

We added savory sides like Willy big onion rings and sweet potato fries, and tasty treats like shakes, floats, and better-than-the-state-fair funnel cakes.

In no time flat, Willy Burger made an exciting impression in the greater Beaumont area as our innovative cheeseburgers, melts, and flavors gained new fans, friends, and fame.

Willy Burger was recognized for the heralded Hee-Haw Burger by critics and publications like Texas Monthly and The Texas Bucket List, even earning the title as “Best Burger in Texas.”

Willy Burger’s legend grew and grew…so much that we opened up our second location in Katy, Texas. Willy’s sizzle, style, and quality are carried out deliciously in both the Beaumont-Port Arthur market and the west Houston area.

With both restaurants cookin’ up burger-shaped smiles, Willy’s reputation became solidified for innovative burgers and our ability—nay, our passion—for turning “simple” into “special.”

We’re
Willy
Cookin’ Now!

In recent years, the burgeoning new demand for both local eateries (#shoplocal) and world-class burgers was ignited for flavor fans everywhere. The James family in Southeast Texas took notice…

As personal fanatics of Willy Burger for a number of years and having successful experience in running both corporate and small businesses, Laney and Dallon James recognized an untapped world of opportunity for Willy Burger.

In 2021, the James family became the proud new owners of Willy Burger.

“We love this, and we want to nurture, and elevate the best Willy has to offer. Serving the customers and supporting our staff to do what they do best…that’s our promise as we take Willy Burger into a new era.” — Laney James

Laney and Dallon James share a lifelong passion for service and bringing families and communities together. Willy Burger and the James family are committed to our communities and putting love into the Willy Burger brand for all to enjoy.

With the addition of easy online ordering, new branding, new developments, and the continued family-friendly, exciting environment, Willy is just gettin’ warmed up!

“…like an old-fashioned Southern supper tucked inside a toasty bun”
The Hee-Haw Burger
Texas Monthly | Featured as a Top 50 Greatest Burger

We Willy Believe in Service

Serving Up
Smiles

We believe in service.

We’re happy to serve at the counter, in the community, today, and tomorrow.

We believe in people.

People are precious and we are committed to helping, empowering, and encouraging folks.

We believe in creativity.

Innovation, adventure, creativity—it’s what we do and how we do it. #nevernotmoving

We believe in happy.

Willy is dedicated to being synonymous with happy. That means honesty, hard work, and performing what we promise for Willy big smiles.

We believe in being Willy Special.

Ordinary is dull. We believe we’re here to be special—for you, for us, for tastes, for life!

Willy in Style

The Southern retro 1950s diner aesthetics tell only part of the story…

The sights and sounds of Willy Burger offer an escape into another world of fun and excitement, further distinguishing it from other restaurants of its kind. One look, one step, one taste—you know you’re in for somethin’ Willy special!

Only Willy combines the best of both worlds:

  • Comfort—savory bites and sweet treats with reliability, quality, family-friendly fun, and vintage, local love
  • Escape—adventurous fusion creations and rich, dynamic, surprising tastes that are out-of-this-world

With super-sweet service from our friendly staff and spectacular burgers from our rockin’ kitchen, no matter if you’re dining in or out, you’re sure to have an experience that’s Willy out-of-this-world.

Our Willy Burger in Katy, Texas has a fun diner design that takes you back to sock hops and soda pops for a warm greeting of nostalgia and smiles. Lunchtime on a bright day? Mmmm, it is a sight to behold. But be sure to check it out at night when the lights are glowing and our diner sign is all lit up—shining like a beacon for bacon burger bliss!

In Beaumont, the real-deal retro feel is a beloved blast from the past. But it’s our restored vintage Airstream that takes center stage! Folks line up to dine in this sweet thang and immerse themselves in Americana. Call the neighbors, wake the kids, and grab your letterman’s sweater—it’s the place to be!

With super-sweet service from our friendly staff and spectacular burgers and extras, no matter if you’re dining in or out you’re sure to have an experience is Willy out-of-this-world.

Meet the Team

At Your Service

Willy Burger loves quality, world-class craft burgers; but it’s the people that make the difference.

That’s why we have the most caring, most knowledgeable, most service-oriented people at every corner working hard for you. EACH & EVERY one of our leadership team members come with successful backgrounds in both corporate AND small business, putting customers in willy good hands and Willy Burger in position for success.

See below for a quick meet & greet of our Executive Team.

Laney and Dallon James

Laney is a working mother with a love of food, art, and creativity.

She earned her degree from the University of Texas-Austin and worked in the Texas Senate where she lobbied on behalf of individuals and homeowners of Texas, protecting the rights of the most vulnerable. Laney has owned and managed Company D Dance Studio for many years as a family business.

Dallon earned his degree from the University of Texas-Austin and worked in the Texas Senate. His background includes that of Public Affairs Director at a renowned law firm in Austin and General Manager of Convergent Industrial, a division of Newtron Electrical. He has been endorsed by the Sabine Area Labor Council and serves as an elected PNG-ISD School Board Trustee.

Dallon and Laney have 3 children and reside in Port Neches, TX, where they are the Youth Ministry leaders at St. Elizabeth. Along with Willy Burger, they own Crown Pizza under the Neches Restaurant Group.

Kati Arredondo

Account Manager

Kati brings financial and organizational power with experience as operations manager and a small business manager. »

Alden Pond

VP of Operations
Executive Chef

Alden’s vast background includes a director role at Alamo Draft House, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort, & the Driskill Hotel… »

The Team

Beaumont & Katy

The experience and passion of our Willy Burger team makes the difference.

World-Class Food. Bright Future.

Franchise Info

Willy Burger has more momentum, more opportunity, and scalability than ever before.

Willy has a statistically unique ability to deliver in dine-in, take-out, and delivery for key market demos due to our lean, modern operations with quality and efficiency.  

Learn More »

Careers

We are Hiring!

Willy Burger is looking for helpful, happy folks with a passion for friendly service, quality food, and working with a team. Sound like you?

Menu

Don’t get hangry!

We know all this talk of culture, character, and craft burgers can make cravings go Willy wild.