Grindhouse Killer Burgers served its first customer in 2009, inside the Sweet Auburn Curb Market in downtown Atlanta. The concept was created by by Alex Brounstein, an Emory graduate and former real estate attorney, who had been working to jump start the revitalization of Atlanta's historic indoor public market.

Situated among seafood, meat and produce vendors, Grindhouse quickly became known as the place to get some of Atlanta’s best burgers in one of the most unique and fun atmospheres in the city.

In its first year in business, Grindhouse immediately began receiving "Best in Atlanta" awards from local publications such as Creative Loafing and Atlanta Magazine, for its hamburgers, veggie burgers and homemade brisket chili. Customers lined up for their fresh ground burger fix, and stuck around for the campy B-movies and Kung Fu flicks projecting on the subway tile walls.