As evidenced by their space-age architecture, P. Terry’s takes a rather unique approach to the traditional burger stand. And now they appear to be differentiating themselves further by giving employees an ownership trust in the future of the company. 

In a move similar to H-E-B’s partner program, P. Terry’s announced it’s transitioning to a Employee Ownership Trust so some of their 1,800 employees across 38 locations can share in the long-term value of the business.

Here’s how it works: The trust would hold shares on behalf of employees, and will establish a company-wide profit-share for workers who have been there for more than two years. It’s set to begin at 5 percent of the operating income, with plans to gradually increase to 20 percent. So that two-year anniversary will bring much more than just a cake or something.

“We’re building something that lasts,” said Patrick Terry, co-founder and CEO of P. Terry’s Burger Stand in a statement. “We wanted our employees to feel the benefit of ownership in a real and ongoing way, which is exactly why we’re launching profit sharing alongside this transition.”

This isn’t to say the employees are set to take over the burger stand. Patrick and Kathy Terry will continue to take an active role in leading the company, but see this as an inevitable move to help with long-term stability.

“From the beginning, we believed that taking care of people and building a great business weren’t competing ideas,” said Kathy Terry, co-founder of P. Terry’s Burger Stand in a statement. “This transition is the most honest expression of that belief we’ve ever made. P. Terry’s has always belonged to the people who show up every day. Now, it’s official.”

P. Terry’s started in Austin in 2005. It now has numerous locations in the Austin metro area, recently expanded to San Antonio, and has a few currently open in the Houston area, including two in Richmond, one in Spring, and another coming to Houston proper at 4815 Katy Freeway, down the road from St. Thomas High School.

Employees are probably happy to see this, especially considering P. Terry’s recently announced that numerous locations will move to 24/7 hours.