OFFICIALLY OPEN: Abilene’s 1st Braum’s welcomes excited customers on opening day

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – After being under construction in 2024, the fast-food restaurant Braum’s opened its first of three new locations in Abilene. The first store is located at 1327 North Judge Ely Boulevard, near Abilene Christian University. Longtime Abilene resident Jonathan Lumpkin had a goal in mind: to be the first customer. Having witnessed the construction process and growing up in the Metroplex, where Braum’s is a popular dining spot, Lumpkin was excited to see a piece of home make its way to the Key City.

“I got up at 5:00 a.m. to be there a little bit before 5:30. Just got in line and ended up being the first customer there. I had a New Year’s resolution to do so, just because I grew up over in the Metroplex, and I bike with my friends and my parents to Braums over there, and obviously, there’s a lot more over in Richardson, Texas. So, I just grew up going to Braums and really liked Braums, so I wanted to be the first customer in Abilene,” added Lumpkin.

Samantha Baker, a former resident of the Dallas-Fort Worth area and now a long-time resident of Abilene, is excited about the new fast-food restaurant in the Key City. She appreciates the community benefit, noting that it is the city’s first fast-food place that also includes a grocery section. She mentioned she is in a group chat with close friends who are fans of Braum’s, often sharing photos of their meals whenever they visit a city that has a Braum’s.

“I’m in a group chat with some friends and we had a big joke that we always do a pit stop somewhere around Texas that has a Braum’s in their town. We send a group photo, a group shot of us having a milkshake or eating some burgers and fries. It’s always just been something to connect us with and it’s just very exciting that now we actually get to have lunch here instead of driving miles away to have lunch or dinner with our families,” explained Baker.

Friends and TSTC students Peyton Randall and Joseph Green feel nostalgic about Braum’s, which brings back childhood memories. Both are looking forward to having a new place to eat in Abilene between classes.

“I had Braums lots of times over in Mineral Wells, Texas. We have one over there, and it’s great and amazing. We have been watching it get built, so it’s very exciting,” added Randall.

Other residents, like Shanice Christian, say they live near the business and are happy to potentially have a new dining spot.

“So, I’ve always wanted to try it. I only tried the ice cream. It was the one time I came, so I want to come back and try a burger,” added Christian.

Customers have said that although the line appeared long, the service was quite fast. The Key City is preparing to welcome two additional Braum’s locations this year: one at the intersection of Antilley Road and Memorial Drive, and the other at Ambler Avenue and Simmons Avenue. However, there is currently no information available regarding the opening dates for these new locations.