Actor Mark Wahlberg visited two Meijer locations in the Metro Detroit area on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, to announce an upcoming partnership between Wahlburgers, Performance Inspired Nutrition and Meijer. Photo by Tracy Jarrett / For Digital First Media
Mark Wahlberg has transformed himself several times in his career, from Grammy nominated rapper, to Calvin Klein underwear model, to Oscar nominated actor. He’s also managed to make himself a reality-TV star, pitchman and owner of several successful businesses.
He combined several of those aspects during a recent trip to metro Detroit.
Wahlberg, along with some friends, family and staff stopped by the Meijer stores in Royal Oak and Taylor on Friday to announce a partnership with the company to bring several Wahlburgers restaurants to Meijer’s stores throughout Michigan and Ohio.
He brought a Wahlburgers food truck with him for people to try out the menu before the restaurant opens.
PHOTOS: Mark Wahlberg visits Royal Oak Meijer
Wahlberg stayed at each store for about an hour, taking hundreds of photos and signing many autographs for fans who lined up as early as midnight the night before for the chance to meet him.
Wahlburgers CEO Rick Vanzura, a former Michigan resident, said Meijer is an outstanding retailer and shares many of the same family values as the company. Vanzura said his three children were born at Beaumont Royal Oak Hospital.
“During my family’s 18 years in Michigan, Meijer was our go-to local grocery and retail store,” said Vanzura. “We are excited to work with them to identify great locations for both freestanding Wahlburgers restaurants and food trucks.”
Anmar and Aya Al-Abolibi, of Dearborn Heights were the first to line up at the Taylor location.
“We found out last night at about 10 p.m.,” Anmar said on Friday. “I finished up an essay and we came right here.”
His sister Aya said they had to be there once they knew Wahlberg was going to be there.
“I liked the movie ‘Daddy’s Home’,” she said.
Neither had tried the food at the restarant in Detroit yet, currently the only Wahlburgers location in the state, but said they’d visit the new Taylor store when it opens in the coming months.
During Friday’s appearances Wahlberg also announced a deal with Meijer and Performance Inspired Nutrition to sell their body and workout supplements exclusively in the retail chain. The new performace products are already on Meijer shelves.
“Today’s supermarket customers want quality, clean nutrition to support their active lifestyle and overall wellness,” PU co-founder Tom Dowd said in a release.
Wahlberg co-owns Wahlburgers with his brothers, Donnie and Paul.
By Dave Herndon
