The current franchise is a drag-themed casual dining chain[1][2] The eateries are often in gayborhoods and are intended to represent stereotypical gay culture through humorously named menu items,[3] flamboyant decor, and many of their locations hosting drag shows on weekends.

1888-1940) was a restaurateur and personality from San Francisco who operated a restaurant known as "Hamburger Mary's" in the Radio City Music Hall area of Midtown Manhattan.

William S. Burroughs used to frequent the restaurant during his early days in New York City and later used the name "Hamburger Mary" for a character in Nova Express and The Ticket That Exploded.

[10] The original Folsom Street Hamburger Mary's continued for several decades as a popular San Francisco spot until economic pressures and health issues among the remaining owners led to its closure on April 23, 2001.

[10][11] After the closure, the owners of the Hamburger Mary's franchise expressed interested in buying out the Folsom Street location, however, they were unable to find franchisees.

A combination of poor economic conditions during the early 2000s recession and the shift in the gay customer base to the Castro District were cited as reasons why the search for a franchisee was unsuccessful.

In 1997, Stan Sax, who had run the Palm Springs location, and Darren Woolsey purchased the chain, incorporating it as Hamburger Mary's International, and began to standardize the operation of Hamburger Mary's franchises, instituting company-wide training manuals for franchise owners and employees and standardized recipe books for the kitchen and bar.

The Las Vegas location, for instance, offers a drag brunch every weekend with options for bottomless drinks and a full open bar.

"[22] The reviewer also praised the "'Big D' Omelette is a keeper", saying "The kitchen staff empties the sink for this one, pouring mushrooms, cheddar and jack cheese into a medley of ham, bacon, onions and bell peppers.

"[22] In 2023, Hamburger Mary's filed a lawsuit challenging a new law by Florida governor Ron DeSantis banning drag performances where children may be present, citing a "chilling effect" on First Amendment rights to free speech as guaranteed by the U.S.

[23] U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell rejected the state's request to dismiss the case and granted an injunction temporarily blocking the law.

According to a report by Courthouse News Service, the three judge panel "appeared unlikely to side with Florida officials seeking to overturn a lower court’s decision to block enforcement".