Dog Haus Coming to Gaithersburg

Franchisee says more locations in D.C. region are planned

By Charlie Wright

Dog Haus Bethesda Charlie Wright

A Dog Haus gourmet hot dog restaurant will open in Gaithersburg in July and the area’s franchise owner says he plans to open others in the region.

The California-based chain has more than 30 locations across the country. A Bethesda restaurant that opened in April 2018 is the only one open on the East Coast.

Dog Haus Gaithersburg will be at the Kentlands Market Square.

Franchisee Faizan Khan said the restaurant will follow the same model as the Bethesda location, with a biergarten and full bar. The menu will have hot dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings and milkshakes.

The biergarten concept includes local craft beers, wine and alcohol-based slushies.

Khan said the growth of the Kentlands Market Square drew him to the site.

“[There’s] a lot of development happening there, so it’s really exciting,” Khan said.

Khan plans to open “at least 10” Dog Haus locations across Maryland, the District and possibly Virginia.

Privately held Dog Haus has franchise locations in 13 states and has a deal to add more than 300 shops by 2023. The first location opened in 2010 in Pasadena, California, and started selling franchise territory rights in 2013.

Dog Haus Gaithersburg will likely have free hot dogs at its grand opening, similar to the promotion at the debut of the Bethesda location.