Burgerville, USA

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Burgerville, USA
Type Private
Founded 1961
Headquarters Vancouver, Washington
Industry Fast Casual
Products Fast food, including hamburgers, french fries
Employees 1,600
Parent The Holland Inc.
Website www.burgerville.com

Burgerville, USA is a privately held American restaurant chain in Oregon and southwest Washington, owned by The Holland Inc. As the chain's name suggests, Burgerville's sandwich menu consists mostly of hamburgers, though it also offers chicken and turkey sandwiches, gardenburgers, and halibut fish and chips. All Burgerville, USA locations are within a 180 mile radius, mostly in the Portland metropolitan area.[1]

The chain's most significant differentiation is in its use of local ingredients and natural ingredients, such as Tillamook Cheddar in its burgers, and locally grown strawberries in its milkshakes and sundaes. Throughout the year it offers seasonal items such as milkshakes made with hazelnuts, fresh pumpkins, fresh raspberries, fresh strawberries, eggnog, huckleberries, and blackberries, and side orders such as Walla Walla onion rings, sweet potato fries and Yukon Gold potatoes.

Contents

[edit] History

Exterior of the 2nd Burgerville, USA location in Vancouver, Washington.
Exterior of the 2nd Burgerville, USA location in Vancouver, Washington.

Burgerville was founded in 1961 by George Propstra in Vancouver, Washington.

Burgerville is known for its progressive business practices and commitment to local resources.[2][3] The chain uses 100% wind power for all of its restaurants and headquarters,[4] and is the largest chain in America to do so. Burgerville uses only trans fat-free canola oil and sends 7,500 gallons per month to be transformed into biodiesel.[2] In 2004, Burgerville switched to range-fed beef raised without hormones and antibiotics.[2] In 2007, it begain composting food waste which is expected to result in an 85% reduction in waste and $100,000 annual savings.[5]

The fast casual restaurant chain was named by Gourmet magazine as having the freshest fast food in the country in 2003,[6] with offerings such as a salad with smoked salmon and Oregon hazelnuts.[7] As of August 2007, their slogan is, "Choose Fresh, Local, Sustainable. Choose Burgerville." Also in 2007, Burgerville was awarded with the "Better Burger" award at the 1st Annual Food Network Awards.[8]

In January 2008, Jeff Harvey became president and CEO Bugerville and Tom Mears, former president/CEO of Burgerville, became Chairman of The Holland, Inc.[9]

[edit] Locations

Burgerville in The Dalles
Burgerville in The Dalles

Burgerville, USA currently has 39 locations throughout Oregon and Washington.[10]

In 2005, the company announced plans to start an expansion into the areas of Seattle, Washington and Bend, Oregon, opening up to ten new restaurants. However, as of March 2007, those expansion plans have not been started yet. Burgerville CEO Jeff Harvey recently announced the company is getting a renewed focus on those expansion plans, as well as renovating older locations.[citation needed]

On major highways leaving Burgerville's reach, there is usually a billboard resembling an overhead highway warning sign alerting drivers that there will not be another Burgerville location for approximately another 24,700 miles (39,750 km) (distance varies on the actual signs depending on location): The distance to the next Burgerville should you continue around the globe in that direction.

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
  1. ^ Smith, Rob (May 13, 2005). Burger joint shakes it up. Portland Business Journal. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  2. ^ a b c Trevison, Catherine (February 3, 2008). Burgerville chief's sustainable vision. The Oregonian. Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
  3. ^ The Converts - Green 50 - Sustainable businesses. Inc.com (November 2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
  4. ^ The Holland, Inc. (August 15, 2005). "The Holland Inc. Standardizes on 100 Percent Wind Power". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  5. ^ Burgerville Rolls Out Composting and Recycling Program to All Units. QSR Magazine (November 23, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
  6. ^ Gottfried, Miriam. "Want a Cause With That?", Volume 179; Issue 1, Forbes, January 8, 2007. 
  7. ^ Wallace, Hannah. Shaking It Up. GOOD Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  8. ^ Food Network Awards 2007. Food Network. Retrieved on 2007-01-01.
  9. ^ "Burgerville: About Us: Company Profile." 2008. Shepherd-Interactive. 10 April 2008 <http://www.burgerville.com/#page:/About-Us/Company-Profile.aspx|secNum:6|subSecNum:1>
  10. ^ Our Company. Burgerville. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.

[edit] External links