Year: 1997
Runtime: 95 min
Language: English
Director: Brian Robbins
A lovable but somewhat naive teenager and his eccentric coworker try to save their burger restaurant when a modern competitor opens nearby. Facing the threat of closure, they devise a plan to boost business and compete with the new establishment. Their efforts involve a unique burger creation and a series of humorous situations as they fight to keep their beloved eatery afloat and maintain their jobs.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Good Burger yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Good Burger (1997), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
As summer’s warm rays approach, Dexter Reed, a quintessential slacker, seizes the opportunity to borrow his mother’s car, eager to escape the drudgery of high school. However, his carefree joyride takes a dramatic turn when he accidentally collides with his strict yet fair teacher, Mr. Wheat, in a minor car accident, leaving both shaken. Lacking a valid driver’s license and insurance, Dexter faces a troubling potential jail sentence. Fortunately, Mr. Wheat, surprisingly compassionate, proposes a deal: if Dexter pays for the damages, starting at a staggering $1,900—soon to balloon to $2,500—he can avoid the slammer.
To remedy his situation, Dexter embarks on a quest for a summer job capable of generating enough funds to cover his debt. After a chaotic tenure at the recently opened Mondo Burger, where he clashes with the fast-talking owner and manager Kurt Bozwell, Dexter finds his way to the quirky establishment known as Good Burger. It is here that he encounters Ed, a lovable, though somewhat naive cashier. As they navigate their new roles, Dexter stumbles upon a startling revelation: Ed’s clumsiness behind the wheel was the catalyst for the accident that started this whole saga.
Despite initially feeling resentment towards Ed, Dexter eventually extends an olive branch, embracing forgiveness instead of blame. Meanwhile, Good Burger faces significant competition from the surging popularity of Mondo Burger, famous for its massive burgers that have tantalized customers. In a desperate move to save the day, Dexter persuades Ed to introduce his special sauce to their menu. This decision proves to be nothing short of miraculous as sales soar, and Good Burger begins to thrive.
Yet, Dexter’s success does not come without its moral compromises. By manipulating Ed’s trusting nature, Dexter coerces him into signing a contract that grants him a staggering 80% cut from the profits earned from their secret sauce. Oblivious to the implications of this shady arrangement, Ed remains a good sport. Meanwhile, Kurt, simmering with jealousy over Good Burger’s newfound success, deploys his employee Roxanne to charm Dexter into revealing the recipe for Ed’s delectable sauce.
However, an unexpected turn of events occurs when Ed takes Monique, another coworker of Dexter’s, out for a double date, only to awkwardly injure her several times, leading her to quit Good Burger. When Monique discovers Dexter’s exploitative contract, she confronts him, urging him to reconsider his actions and causing Dexter to feel a twinge of regret. His attempt to make amends is interrupted when he and Ed serendipitously encounter a stray dog that refuses a discarded Mondo Burger in favor of the wholesome offerings from Good Burger. In disguise, the duo infiltrates the Mondo Burger kitchen, where they uncover a distressing secret: the burgers have been tainted with Triampathol, an illegal food additive. Kurt, the criminal mastermind behind this scheme, soon learns of their discovery and locks them up in the infamous Demented Hills Asylum to prevent their exposure of the truth.
While Ed and Dexter languish in confinement, Kurt and his thugs invade Good Burger, stealing Ed’s secret sauce and dangerously contaminating it with shark poison. The unsuspecting Otis, an elderly employee who happens to be working that evening, stumbles upon their illicit activities and is dispatched along with his coworkers to Demented Hills as well. Upon hearing of Kurt’s schemes from Otis, Ed and Dexter devise a thrilling escape plan, commandeering an ice cream truck to race back to Good Burger.
Pursued by two asylum workers, Ed unleashes a volley of ice cream projectiles, momentarily obscuring their view and causing their vehicle to crash. Arriving just in time at Good Burger, Ed foils Kurt’s malicious plan, preventing an elderly woman from consuming the contaminated sauce.
With a shared goal of bringing Kurt to justice, Ed and Dexter return to Mondo Burger to unveil Kurt’s crimes. While Dexter distracts the villain, Ed secretly injects multiple cans of Triampathol into their meat grinder. When Kurt confronts Dexter on the roof, Ed arrives just in time to witness the artificial burger explode due to the Triampathol overload, resulting in the iconic structure’s demise and inadvertently destroying Mr. Wheat’s newly restored car.
In the wake of the chaos, Mondo Burger faces closure, and Kurt is arrested for his criminal behavior involving the poisoning of Good Burger’s sauce and the illegal food additive. Showing grace, Dexter offers Ed a down payment, rips up their contract, and ensures that Ed retains all future profits. As they return to Good Burger, they are hailed as heroes by their coworkers, celebrated for their bravery and clever ingenuity.
Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 09:16
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Quirky employees band together to save their jobs from a ridiculous corporate threat.If you liked the silly antics of Good Burger, you'll enjoy these movies where quirky employees face off against corporate rivals. This list features comedies with a fast pace, light tone, and a feel-good story about underdogs saving their workplace through teamwork and humor.
The narrative follows a straightforward underdog arc: a small, beloved establishment is threatened by a new, soulless competitor. The employees, often a mix of naivety and eccentric genius, must concoct a wild plan to prove their unique value, leading to a series of comedic misadventures before a triumphant, celebratory ending.
Movies in this thread share a core combination of a workplace setting, a clear underdog conflict, and a consistently goofy, lighthearted tone. The pacing is fast, the emotional stakes are kept low, and the humor is rooted in character eccentricities and slapstick rather than cynicism.
An unlikely friendship blossoms through chaotic adventures and shared goals.Fans of the hilarious duo in Good Burger will love these movies featuring mismatched partners on a comedic mission. Discover similar stories of quirky friendships, fast-paced antics, and a lighthearted vibe where the fun is in the journey, not the destination.
The plot is a vehicle for the central friendship. A straight-laced or naive character is paired with an unpredictable, eccentric partner. Thrown into a series of escalating, comedic scenarios to achieve a goal, their initial friction gives way to a genuine, unshakeable friendship, with the narrative prioritizing laugh-out-loud moments over complex plotting.
These films are grouped by their focus on a core comedic partnership defined by contrasting personalities. The tone is consistently light and optimistic, the pacing is brisk to keep the jokes coming, and the emotional journey is about the rewards of friendship, making them universally appealing and fun.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Good Burger in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Good Burger is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Good Burger with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Good Burger. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Good Burger that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Good Burger: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Good Burger that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Good Burger (1997) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Good Burger (1997) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Good Burger (1997) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Good Burger – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Dinner in America (2022) Complete Plot Breakdown
The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022) Story Summary & Characters
Fast Food Fast Women (2001) Full Summary & Key Details
Good Kids (2016) Full Movie Breakdown
The Promotion (2008) Movie Recap & Themes
Hamburger: The Motion Picture (1986) Full Movie Breakdown
Good Burger 2 (2023) Full Summary & Key Details
Snack Shack (2024) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Good Humor Man (2005) Detailed Story Recap
Grilled (2006) Complete Plot Breakdown
Fast Food (1989) Movie Recap & Themes
Munchie (1992) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Good Humor Man (1950) Story Summary & Characters
Burger Boys (1999) Story Summary & Characters
Buford’s Beach Bunnies (1993) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap