Dickey's franchisee opening Dog Haus in Michigan

Dog Haus will serve the Great Lakes State via two restaurants in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, the first of which is expected to open in 2022.

"We're thrilled to partner with Krage as he introduces The Absolute Würst to Michiganders," Dog Haus Director of Franchise Development Erik Hartung said in a company press release. "As a Michigan native and graduate of Western Michigan University, Krage knows the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids areas, as well as Dog Haus, knows sausages, which will help him identify strategic local business opportunities. We can't wait to expand into Michigan and show these communities what Dog Haus is all about."

Fox franchises four Dickey's Barbecue Pit's throughout Michigan, which have consistently been some of the top-performing in the country out of the brand's 500 stores.

"I discovered Dog Haus through social media and immediately realized that our community had a need for a restaurant that creates a variety of gourmet hot dogs, sausages and burgers under one roof and offers them late into the night," Fox said in the release. "Dog Haus and Dickey's share a lot of the same values — it's not just about making the food. It's about creating an environment where you want to come back and spend more time with friends and family. Dog Haus' laid-back biergarten atmosphere and one-of-a-kind creations are sure to become the next go-to destinations for guests to connect with one another in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo."

Founded by longtime friends Hagop Giragossian, Quasim Riaz and André Vener, the first Dog Haus opened in Pasadena, California in 2010.