Denton native and business owner Mike Barnett plans to expand County Road Burger Company, formerly known as Denton Independent Hamburger, beyond North Texas.

Barnett, a lifelong Denton Independent Hamburger fan, bought the restaurant in 2018 after the previous owner retired. Denton Independent Hamburger originally opened in 1977.

“I ate there every week for three years of high school,” Barnett said. ”I thought to myself, you know, why isn't there one of these in every town in America?”

In May, Barnett changed the name from Denton Independent Hamburger to County Road Burger Company to appeal to people outside of the Denton area as part of the planned expansion.

“I really needed a name that would work anywhere,” Barnett said.


What’s on the menu

The restaurant offers several kinds of hamburgers, including a chili burger, slathered in Texas chili, shredded cheddar cheese and onion, and a hickory burger, which comes with a dose of hickory barbecue sauce.

The burger spot also offers southern fare like chicken-fried steak and chicken, along with a quarter-pound hot dog.

Some background


Barnett has worked in hospitality and recreation since he was 19 years old. He started out waiting tables at multiple restaurants while attending the University of North Texas, went on to work as a manager at a hotel in New York City, then moved to Boise, Idaho, and opened his own pizza place.

“I had the restaurant bug early on. I've always really liked the industry,” Barnett said.

Barnett moved back to Denton 11 years ago and helped open Denton County Brewing Company.

Around that time, Barnett jumped at the chance to buy Denton Independent Hamburger after he heard the previous owner, Kim Kitchens, was planning to retire.


“I hit a beeline to his door and started a conversation,” Barnett said.

Looking ahead

Barnett said he has a few serious franchisee candidates, but isn’t in a rush to expand.

“I'm going to be very selective,” Barnett said. “I’ve got kind of a slow, steady growth mentality and focus.”


Currently, Barnett is looking at a potential franchise partnership in West Texas, and hopes to have about 10 County Road Burger locations by 2030.