Burger lovers across America sang, penned poems, acted, and even dressed up like a bison to vie for the chance to be named Ted’s Montana Grill’s biggest burger fan. The Ted’s Montana Grill Burger FANatics contest, held March 1-31, drew more than 6,500 entries, ranging from heartwarming to wacky. Now the judges have tallied the votes and the winners have been named.
Grand Prize Winners: Driving away with a new, eco-friendly Toyota Prius and the title of Ted’s Biggest Burger FANatics are Joshua and Leslie Borger. In their video, “Couple on a Bison Budget,” 28-year-old Leslie lays down the law with husband Josh, a bison burger addict, saying he has to cut back on his spending. Not knowing what he’ll do without his beloved burgers, Josh, 29, starts looking for new and inventive ways to pinch his pennies so he can keep eating his beloved Spikebox Burger at Ted’s. The Borgers, who live in Atlanta, met at the University of Georgia, where they both graduated, and married in 2008.
Gena Weaver, vice president of marketing for Ted’s Montana Grill, says of the Borgers’ winning entry, “Their video and message really connected with our judges. It not only reflects the times we live in, but shows the great lengths poor Josh was willing to go to for his burger fix.”
Second Place Prize: Cranston, Rhode Island-resident Stephen Aiello showed off his country roots with a rousing rendition of his original song and video entitled “You Can Find Me At Ted’s.” Stephen, who loves Ted’s for its Big Sky Country ambiance, is crazy for the Green & Hot Burger. As second-place winner, he nets an all-expense-paid trip to Montana. “The restaurant really makes you feel like you’re out West,” he says. “It’s a good escape.”
Third Place Prize: They call themselves “The Buffalo Ballers.” Peachtree City, Georgia-native Daniel Baily and Brandon Swafford of Villa Rica, Georgia, showed how they feel about Ted’s burgers with a creative video called “World’s Best Burger.” Daniel, a graduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, says, “Ted’s has great food, and I love the eco-friendly vibe starting with the [paper] straws.” The Buffalo Ballers earn free food at Ted’s for a year. Their favorite Ted’s burger is George’s Cadillac.
Ted’s Fan Favorite: With so many funny and inventive entries, the Burger FANatics judges added a fourth prize in April–Ted’s Fan Favorite FANatic–and let America decide the winner. From April 22-30, burger fans cast their ballots, with more than 20,000 people voting. The winner, with 3,487 votes, was Leslie Logemann of Naples, Florida, who created a poetic video entitled “A Love Poem to Ted’s.” Leslie will have the chance to enjoy her favorite Ted’s burger, the Blue Creek, all year round as she wins $25 in free food each month for one year.
“We were overwhelmed by the thousands of entries and had a blast viewing them,” says George McKerrow Jr., president and CEO of Ted’s Montana Grill. “We always knew our burger fans were passionate, but now we’re sure of it. Thanks to all the fans that entered the contest and voted for their favorite.”
Every qualified entry in the Ted’s Burger FANatic contest received a free burger certificate from Ted’s Montana Grill. And every person who voted in the Fan Favorite competition will receive a buy one-get one burger from Ted’s.
To see the winning entries, visit www.tedsmontanagrill.com.