Bored & Hungry, the first burger joint inspired by cryptocurrency, has announced it will be closing its doors. Located in Long Beach, California, the restaurant, which drew inspiration from the popular Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT and Apecoin, confirmed its closure on Monday after operating for two years.
Bored & Hungry: Cryptocurrency Burger Joint Closes
Bored & Hungry, a unique fast-food restaurant that accepted cryptocurrency as payment, has closed its original location in Long Beach, California. The restaurant, which opened on April 11, 2022, quickly became popular, often seeing lines of customers stretching down the street.
It was the first fast-food outlet where patrons could pay for their meals using Ethereum and Apecoin. This innovative approach to dining attracted significant attention and made it a standout establishment in the area.
Hungry DAO, an Asian branding and franchising company, has acquired the branding rights for Bored & Hungry.
Andy Nguyen, co-founder of the NFT-inspired restaurant, made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Happy 2-year anniversary @BorednHungry! "Today, we say goodbye to the original Bored & Hungry location in Long Beach, CA," Nguyen posted.
He congratulated Hungry Dao on the acquisition, signaling a new chapter for the brand under new ownership.
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Bored & Hungry Closes, Looks to Future Expansion
When Andy Nguyen and Kevin Seo launched Bored & Hungry, they were enthusiastic, calling it "the best idea ever."
Inspired by cryptocurrency and NFTs, the restaurant aimed to offer a novel dining experience in Long Beach, California. According to Nguyen, speaking to Decrypt, the venture achieved its goal by "creating a unique experience" and effectively "utilizing the NFT intellectual property."
However, the journey was not without its challenges. The original team faced difficulties managing their commute from Texas while running another business, Trill Burgers. Nguyen explained that Bored & Hungry was not intended to be a long-term project and was diverting resources from their other endeavors.
Despite the closure of its first location, the future holds new opportunities. Hungry DAO has acquired the brand, and Nguyen is optimistic about opening another site in the Los Angeles area.
"The home store may be gone, but stay tuned as Bored & Hungry will be announcing their new home in the U.S. soon," Nguyen shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. He added that they are currently scouting locations and looking for the best fit for their business model.
Celebrity Sightings Boost NFT-Based Bored & Hungry's Profile
Bored & Hungry, an innovative restaurant that combines fast food with NFT culture, drew the attention of several celebrities during its operational years.
Among the notable visitors was Snoop Dogg, who enjoyed a meal there a few months after its opening. The restaurant captured the moment with a photo of him holding two meal boxes and a joint, captioned, "Ya heard? Snoop Dogg with his favorite burger."
The establishment also attracted rapper Wyclef Jean, who was seen with his Bored & Hungry meal at a pop-up event during Art Basel in Miami, Florida. Another rapper, Bun B, praised the restaurant's offerings, calling their burgers "the best in America" in a social media post.
The celebrity endorsements added to the restaurant's allure and marked a high point in its brief but impactful presence. Founder Andy Nguyen reflected on the venture's success, noting the brand's unexpected global growth.
"Bored & Hungry opened up so many doors and relationships for me," Nguyen shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. With the original location now closed, Nguyen is enthusiastic about his future projects and the continuing expansion of his culinary ventures.
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