Wahlburgers to exit all Hy-Vee stores, including Twin Cities

Why it matters: The split signals the Iowa-based grocery chain's commitment to offering more selection via its own in-store food service, Supermarket News reports.

• And Wahlburgers wasn't happy with the performance of its Hy-Vee locations and will now focus on standalone restaurants, CEO Randy Sharpe told Restaurant Business.

Catch up quick: Wahlburgers is owned by Paul Wahlberg and his brothers, actors Donnie and Mark.

• The grocery and restaurant chains' collaboration began about a decade ago.
• By 2020, Hy-Vee announced it was converting all its Market Grille restaurants into Wahlburgers.

State of play: Hy-Vee announced in 2023 that it would only open future Wahlburgers from within its grocery stores.

• The company planned to open 20 in its stores that year, making it the burger chain's largest franchisee, a spokesperson told Axios at the time.

What they're saying: Customers generally wanted a different selection, Hy-Vee spokesperson Tina Potthoff tells Axios.

What's next: All 221 Market Grille locations nationally will launch new menus in the coming weeks, which includes those being converted, Potthoff says.