UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (date of earliest event reported): January 5, 2004

MERITAGE HOSPITALITY GROUP INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Michigan
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

0-17442
(Commission File Number) 38-2730460
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)

1971 East Beltline Ave., N.E., Suite 200
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)        (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (616) 776-2600

Item 5.    Other Events and Required FD Disclosure.

        Attached as Exhibit 99, and incorporated herein by reference, is the press release the Company issued on January 5, 2004, reporting on the completion of the Company’s private equity offering.

Item 7.    Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description of Document
99	The press release described in Item 5 above.

SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:    January 5, 2004 MERITAGE HOSPITALITY GROUP INC.


BY: /s/Robert E. Schermer, Jr.
——————————————
Robert E. Schermer, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer