Butte’s Retail Upgrade: New Update Ahead Of Restaurant Closing

BUTTE, MT - Butte’s Highway 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries has officially closed its doors less than a year after opening, leaving behind an empty restaurant and unanswered questions.

Get our free mobile app

The sudden closure came without prior notice to local economic development officials, but despite the loss of the business, county officials assure residents that taxpayer-funded infrastructure improvements tied to the project remain in place.

What Happened?

Highway 55 opened at 3528 Harrison Avenue in February 2024 after receiving more than $240,000 in county grants for improvements like water, sewer, electrical work, fiber connections, parking lot development, and stormwater systems.

However, the business struggled to gain traction, with few cars in the parking lot on many afternoons and evenings.

By early January 2025, the restaurant quietly shut down, leaving only a simple sign in the window: “Sorry, closed.”

It turns out Butte wasn’t the only location to go under.

The parent company, Little Mint Inc., based in North Carolina, closed more than a dozen corporate-owned Highway 55 locations nationwide before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 31, 2024.

The company cited financial struggles, labor shortages, and lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compounding their troubles, the U.S. Department of Labor had previously found the company in violation of child labor laws.

What Happens to the Building Now?

While the restaurant itself has shut down, Butte-Silver Bow officials say the county’s investment wasn’t wasted.

The infrastructure upgrades will remain in place, ensuring the property is more valuable for future use.

The property’s value has more than tripled, from $426,000 in 2023 to over $1.3 million today, largely due to the upgrades that were funded.

While the county cannot recoup the grant money, officials say the improved utilities and infrastructure make the site more attractive to new businesses.

Harrison Avenue Still Seeing Growth

Despite Highway 55’s closure, commercial development along Harrison Avenue remains strong.

The area is seeing a wave of new businesses, including a Planet Fitness, a Tractor Supply, and multiple national restaurant chains in the upcoming Cornerstone Plaza.

While shuttered restaurant buildings can sometimes sit vacant for years, local officials remain optimistic that this location won’t stay empty for long.

Butte residents will have to wait and see what moves into the space next.