Asheville

Coming Soon West Ashville: Thunder Burgerz West

Local Asheville brand is opening its second location.

Image from Roy Trantham III on Facebook

ASHEVILLE, NC – Thunder Burgerz West, a 1950s Asheville-focused diner concept from owner Roy Trantham III, is preparing to open August 10 at 521 Haywood Rd Asheville, NC 28806, Trantham shared with Business Debut in a phone interview.

Trantham said he plans a soft opening before that date, with August 10 as the target for full operations.

What to Expect

Trantham described Thunder Burgerz West as a 50s-style diner built around Asheville history and his own family’s deep local roots.

“The concept came from Thunder Road, the movie 1957 Robert Mitchum,” Trantham told Business Debut. “It was filmed in Asheville. My dad had a '36 Ford in the movie and was actually in the movie working on his car.”

The décor will highlight Asheville’s racing and civic history.

Trantham said the walls will feature memorabilia tied to his father’s local racing career, as well as figures like Robert Pressley, Bob Pressley and Banjo Matthews.

He also noted his family’s long local presence, including a 24-hour grocery in Biltmore operated by his grandfather, and his grandfather’s later service as Asheville mayor.

“I just love old Asheville, old movies, old restaurants,” Trantham told Business Debut.

The new location has two dining rooms, seating on a large patio, and two parking lots to host car and motorcycle gatherings. He has built a stage behind the restaurant for live music, karaoke, comedy and community events like outdoor movies and other outdoor activities such as cornhole and pingpong.

There will also be a pool table inside.

Thunder Burgerz West will focus on burgers, wings, tenders, hot dogs and hand-dipped Hershey’s ice cream.

Weekly value specials from Trantham’s existing operation will carry over, he said, including dollar wing Wednesdays, dollar tenders on Tuesdays and 69-cent boneless wing specials on Saturdays.

“We are prices are very good,” Trantham told Business Debut, adding that he aims to attract families, neighborhood workers and residents seeking affordable meals.

Milkshakes will feature prominently, along with a bar.

“I am a burger joint that if somebody wants to get a beer, they can get one,” Trantham shared. “I’m looking to open a family-friendly restaurant that you can get a beer with your wings.”

Opening Timeline

Trantham said he is targeting August 10 for the official opening of Thunder Burgerz West. He plans a gradual soft opening before that date to train staff and test operations.