Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Ringleb.
Hi Alexander , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Alexander Ringleb was born in Germany and came to the United States as a young man with nothing but work ethic, resilience, and a deep curiosity for the world. He began his hospitality journey as a server and worked his way through some of the toughest, highest-volume dining rooms in the country, including Casa Tua, the Versace Mansion, Balthazar in New York, and Wolfgang’s in Beverly Hills. Those years defined his standards and sharpened his instincts.
Miami became the place where he grew not just as a professional, but as a person. It’s where he learned leadership, discipline, and the responsibility that comes with building a life from the ground up. Over time, Alex evolved from employee to operator, and from operator to someone who values energy, personal growth, and creating environments that reflect who he has become. His focus today is on building spaces that feel alive, intentional, and aligned with his own story, while never forgetting where he started.
In 2018, Alex and his wife Fernanda opened the first Burgermeister in Miami, turning a simple idea into a brand with a loyal following. What began as a small project fueled by hustle and intuition has grown into a recognized South Florida destination for gourmet burgers. Burgermeister, known for its motto “size matters,” blends quality ingredients with playful creativity to elevate the classic American burger.
Today, with locations in South Beach, Brickell, and continued plans for expansion, Burgermeister reflects Alex’s vision of hospitality — a place rooted in community, consistency, and authenticity. He remains committed to creating experiences that leave an impression, staying connected to his beginnings while building what comes next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was far from a smooth road. When we opened Burgermeister in Miami Beach, we had almost no money. It was just me and my wife, Fernanda — she waited tables, I cooked. We’d wake up at five in the morning, drive to Jetro, buy only what we could afford for the day, prep, open, work straight through, close, clean, sleep a few hours, and repeat. That was our reality.
There were moments we couldn’t keep the electricity on, days shut down from hurricane conditions, and times when our entire daily purchase fit into one tiny shopping cart. But we pushed. Just as things finally started improving, COVID hit. We didn’t receive PPP or any government support, so we had to rebuild from zero again. We kept our staff with us and fought our way back.
After the pandemic, we finally caught momentum—until a grease trap upgrade forced a three-month closure. Again, we carried our employees through it. When we reopened, the community showed up immediately, which is the only reason we survived.
And the challenges never stopped: power outages that wiped out thousands of dollars in inventory overnight, massive labor shortages while trying to run two stores, and then the economic shock that made every cost explode. Overnight, a case of iceberg lettuce jumped from $17.99 to $120. Beef that cost $4.99 a pound suddenly cost $9.99. Insurance skyrocketed. Rents skyrocketed. Post-pandemic Miami became one of the most expensive markets in the country, and every hit landed at once.
We even created a parody slogan—‘I’m Fucking Loving It’—and hung custom neon signs in both stores. It was playful, it was fun, and of course McDonald’s sent a cease-and-desist letter. We had to take the signs down immediately, and now they sit in our living room as a reminder of how wild the journey has been.
Through all of it, the only constant was that we never stopped. Miami is a tough city; if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. The struggles never fully disappear, but you learn to stay grateful, stay disciplined, and keep moving forward no matter what hits you.
As you know, we’re big fans of Burgermeister. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Burgermeister is a Miami-born burger house built on a simple belief: eating well should feel unforgettable. We’re known for serving big, fresh, over-the-top burgers with real ingredients and zero shortcuts. No fast-food vibes here. Miami doesn’t do basic, and neither do we.
Our kitchens work with never-frozen beef, halal chicken, buns baked fresh daily with our signature 50/50 brioche and potato blend, and homemade sauces you won’t find anywhere else. Everything we do comes back to one idea — fast isn’t good, and good food isn’t fast .
What sets us apart is our attitude. Burgermeister is bold, funny, and unapologetically real. We don’t force promotions or pretend to be something we’re not. Our tone is playful and irreverent — the same energy you get when you’re chatting with your coolest friend. We mix Miami’s luxury with its street-level authenticity and deliver a burger experience people remember long after the last bite .
Brand-wise, we’re proud of staying true to our identity. In a city full of options, we’ve built a community that values flavor, size, and personality. Our “Bigger is Better” approach isn’t just marketing; it’s how we craft everything — from the food to the experience. Because a burger shouldn’t just feed you; it should make your day better .
If there’s one thing readers should know about Burgermeister, it’s this: we’re here to give you the best burger experience in Miami. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, South Beach or Brickell, we keep it fresh, fun, high-quality, and completely authentic to the Miami lifestyle. No BS. Just big, juicy, unforgettable burgers made with passion and served with attitude.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We’d also like to share that Burgermeister is growing. Miami has embraced us in a big way, and we’re preparing to expand into new neighborhoods soon. Outside of Burgermeister, our team is also involved in other projects and restaurants in the city, including The Office and Bagah, which allows us to stay deeply connected to Miami’s hospitality scene and continue elevating the local dining experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.burgermeistermiami.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burgermeistermiami/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/burgermeistermiami/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/burgermeistermiami/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@burgermeistermiami
