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Houston Trump Burger Locations Rebrand Amid Legal Trouble
All four Texas Trump Burger sites have closed or rebranded as ownership disputes, a Trump Org cease-and-desist and ICE detentions play out.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:39pm
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The Trump-themed burger mini-chain that once pulled in road-trippers and racked up viral views around Houston has quietly unraveled. In recent months, every Texas spot that leaned on the Trump Burger name has either gone dark or slapped up fresh signage, caught in a swirl of lawsuits and immigration trouble. Those once-brash red, white and blue dining rooms now sit under different names or behind empty storefront windows, and workers and customers say the shift happened almost overnight.
Why it matters
The downfall of the Trump Burger brand in Houston highlights the risks of building a business around a politically charged brand name, especially one tied to a controversial public figure. The legal battles and immigration issues that plagued the chain underscore the challenges of operating a franchise model in the current political climate.
The details
According to reports, the original Bellville restaurant now goes by President Burger, the Flatonia location is called MAGA Burger, the Kemah spot is operating as Freedom Burgers & Beer Garden, the Houston location has closed and is being converted to Empire Pizza, and the Bay City site that opened as MAGA Burger is now Jotti's Diner. These rebrands come amid a tangled fight over ownership of the Trump Burger concept, as well as a cease-and-desist letter from the Trump Organization over use of the Trump name and legal troubles stemming from ICE detentions of co-founders.
- In May 2025, Roland Beainy was detained by ICE and later granted bond in mid-June while his removal proceedings moved forward.
- In October 2025, a federal judge ordered Iyad Abuelhawa released from ICE custody after noting medical issues he experienced while detained.
- A trial connected to the Kemah location dispute is currently scheduled for May 2026.
The players
Roland Beainy
One of the co-founders of the Trump Burger concept who was detained by ICE in May 2025.
Suad Hamedah
Co-founder of the Trump Burger concept who claims Beainy took the idea after they launched a predecessor restaurant in 2016.
Iyad Abuelhawa
Co-founder of the Trump Burger concept who was released from ICE custody in October 2025 after experiencing medical issues while detained.
Trump Organization
The company that sent a cease-and-desist letter in 2025 over the use of the Trump name by the burger chain.
Kemah landlord
The landlord involved in a legal battle with the Trump Burger operators over the Kemah location.
What’s next
A trial connected to the Kemah location dispute is currently scheduled for May 2026, which could provide more clarity on the future of the Trump Burger brand.
The takeaway
The downfall of the Trump Burger chain in Houston underscores the risks of building a business around a politically charged brand name, especially one tied to a controversial public figure. The legal battles and immigration issues that plagued the chain serve as a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on political trends.
