Fuddruckers is proud to announce its new partnership with Houston's Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise. The landmark, Houston-based company has been named the Official Hamburger of the Houston Astros. The duo has joined forces to introduce the "Game Changer" burger at locations in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio through June 29. The Game Changer offers a grand slam for the taste buds with a combination of an all-natural Nolan Ryan's Beef patty and half a Black Angus hot dog under one bun, topped with Cheddar cheese, chili, and beer-glazed onions.

According to Peter Tropoli, COO of Luby's Inc., "Fuddruckers is a longtime supporter of little league teams in our communities, and our guests enjoy watching and celebrating after games at our restaurants. Astros fans can now see the familiar Fuddruckers logo in Houston's Minute Maid Park and can anticipate future promotions celebrating our partnership. Only Fuddruckers offers the Game Changer: a unique union of a chili cheese Black Angus hot dog with a Nolan Ryan fresh beef patty. Baseball and Fuddruckers are a natural pair. We look forward to serving this hot, juicy, and delicious burger to loyal Astros fans around the state."

The decision to use Hall-of-Famer Ryan's beef line for the limited-time offering goes beyond just its quality. The eight-time MLB All-Star pitcher played for both the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers over the course of his four-decade career, while his son, Reid Ryan, the president of baseball operations for the Houston Astros, played an instrumental role in the Fuddruckers partnership.

"Texans are notoriously proud of their state and known for the loyalty of their fans. As a pitcher, my dad became a national symbol of sportsmanship and an ambassador for Texas around the world," Reid Ryan says. "Founded in San Antonio and raised in Houston, Fuddruckers brings a similar Texas legacy that has grown internationally under the stewardship of Luby's Inc. This partnership fit like a glove."

Since 1980, Fuddruckers has been obsessed with making the world happier, one great hamburger at a time. Grilled-to-order burgers feature always fresh and never frozen, 100 percent USDA premium-cut beef with no fillers or additives. Delicious, sesame-topped buns are baked from scratch on-site throughout the day to achieve the perfect combination of crisp crust and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

And while burgers are the signature, the engaging menu offers variety for many tastes with an array of sandwiches, platters, and salads. No matter what they choose, customers can customize their meal with a trip to the legendary Build Your Own produce bar, which features fantastic fixings like sun-ripened tomatoes, lettuce, sliced onions, dill pickles, pico de gallo, and classic cheese sauce.

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