Owners Acquire Morty's Trailer for Italian Beef Concept
Business partners Ethan Wheeler and Michael Iammarino are using the iconic hot dog cart to expand their Chicago-style sandwich reach.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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In 2026, business partners Ethan Wheeler and Michael Iammarino acquired the Morty's hot dog trailer located at 1919 W. 43rd Ave. The duo, who previously worked in restaurant kitchens, have introduced their Italian beef sandwiches to the mobile cart's menu.
Why it matters
The acquisition allows the team to maintain the established Morty's fan base while they finalize plans for a permanent Saul's Italian Beef restaurant in North Kansas City. This strategic move follows the retirement of former operator Brian Newton due to his health.
The Morty's trailer previously maintained a lunch-only window from 11 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. before the new owners began testing extended dinner service hours.
The players
Ethan Wheeler
He is a business owner and former restaurant kitchen professional who is transitioning to operating a specialty sandwich concept.
Michael Iammarino
He is a business partner who co-founded the Italian beef sandwich concept and helped acquire the mobile trailer.
Pasquale J. Trozzolo
He is a business partner who joined the team to provide support for scaling the operation.
Brian Newton
He is the former operator of Morty's who retired from the mobile food business due to health concerns.
The details
Wheeler and Iammarino partnered with Pasquale J. Trozzolo to scale their operations after running Saul's Italian Beef as a pop-up business. The team serves sandwiches on Turano or French rolls and recently sold out of inventory during a trial dinner shift.
Timeline
Earlier this year, the team partnered with Pasquale J. Trozzolo.
Last Thursday, the trailer tested new dinner service hours.
Market Landscape
This acquisition mirrors the broader industry trend of food entrepreneurs utilizing existing mobile platforms to build brand equity before committing to high-overhead brick-and-mortar locations. It positions the team to capture both the traditional hot dog customer base and the specific demand for Chicago-style Italian beef in the region.
Local diners can expect increased availability for Italian beef sandwiches as the owners plan to expand the trailer's operating hours beyond the traditional lunch window. Customers should monitor for potential service changes as the team prepares to integrate their menu with existing offerings.
The takeaway
Entrepreneurs often leverage established mobile assets to maintain customer loyalty while navigating the transition to a permanent kitchen. This strategy minimizes the risk of losing a local fan base during the time-intensive process of restaurant development.
Further reading
Find more updates on new restaurant arrivals in the Kansas City Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Kansas City Star.
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