Ted’s Montana Grill

Ted's Montana Grill is a casual dining restaurant operator that specializes in bison-based American cuisine, founded in 2002 by Ted Turner, the CNN founder, and George McKerrow Jr., a veteran of 50 years in the restaurant industry. The company operates 38 locations as of December 2025 across 16 states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Greater Atlanta represents the brand's strongest market concentration with 11 of those 38 locations.

Each Ted's Montana Grill restaurant operates as a company-owned location rather than a franchise, allowing the brand to maintain consistent operational standards while tailoring design and sourcing to local market character. The restaurants emphasize made-from-scratch preparation with no microwaves on premises. The menu centers on bison burgers and steaks alongside chicken sandwiches and salads, paired with locally sourced craft beverages including regional beers and bourbons. The dining environment combines rustic design elements with wood and leather finishes, positioning the concept between casual and fine-casual segments.

The brand achieved record-breaking performance in 2025, its most successful year since inception. This operational strength is driving the company's expansion plans, which include a new location at Beechwood Shopping Center in Athens, Georgia opening in summer 2026, followed by a Marietta Square location in 2027. The expansion strategy targets secondary and tertiary markets within existing state footprints, with particular focus on Georgia, Colorado, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Turner's environmental philosophy and ranching interests directly shaped the brand's sourcing model, particularly through bison partnerships that align with sustainable agriculture principles. McKerrow's extensive restaurant background established the operational foundation that has enabled the company to maintain consistency across its portfolio while supporting local community engagement and partnerships at individual locations. The combination of premium protein sourcing, local market integration, and proven unit economics reflects a growth-stage operator with demonstrated confidence in its business model and market positioning.