Burgerville

Burgerville
Private
Industry Fast Casual
Founded 1961
Headquarters Vancouver, Washington
Products Fast food, including hamburgers, french fries
Revenue Approx. $75 million (2010)[1]
Number of employees
 1,300 (2013)[2]
Parent The Holland Inc.
Website burgerville.com

Burgerville (originally 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, vegetarian burgers, and halibut fish and chips. As of May 2005, all Burgerville locations were within a 180-mile (290-km) radius, mostly in the Portland metropolitan area.[3] The chain had annual revenue of around $75 million in 2010, at which time it had 39 locations and about 1,500 employees.[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, and blackberries, and side orders such as Walla Walla onion rings, sweet potato fries, tempura-style fried asparagus and Yukon Gold potatoes.

History

In 2015, the 48-year-old Burgerville in central Beaverton, Oregon, retains its original appearance.

The first Burgerville was located on Mill Plain Blvd in Vancouver, Washington about three miles east of downtown on the southeast corner of Mill Plain and Morrison. Burgerville was founded in 1961 by George Propstra in Vancouver, Washington.[4]

Burgerville is known for its progressive business practices and commitment to local resources.[5][6] The chain uses 100% wind power for all of its restaurants and headquarters,[7] 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.[5] In 2004, Burgerville switched to range-fed beef raised without hormones and antibiotics.[5] In 2007, it began composting food waste which is expected to result in an 85% reduction in waste and $100,000 annual savings.[8]

In September 2009, Burgerville began allowing bicyclists to order using its drive-through windows to bicyclists after complaints from bicycle commuters. This program stands in contrast to policies at McDonald's and Burger King, which ban bikes from drive-throughs.[9]

The fast casual restaurant chain was named by Gourmet magazine as having the freshest fast food in the country in 2003,[10] with offerings such as a salad with smoked salmon and Oregon hazelnuts.[11] 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.[12]

In January 2008, Jeff Harvey accepted the position of President and CEO of Burgerville after Tom Mears, the former holder of the titles stepped aside, and became Chairman of the company.[4]

In April 2016, Burgerville workers organized and formed the Burgerville Workers Union, with support from Portland IWW, among other groups.[13]

Since then members of the union have reported a crackdown from corporate management attempting to suppress their union activities. This has included unjust terminations of union members, hiring private investigators to follow or otherwise intimidate union leaders and various other attempts at union busting.[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Locations

Burgerville in The Dalles
A billboard on Interstate 84 cautions drivers that the Burgerville in The Dalles is the "last Burgerville for 24,800 miles".

As of October 2016, Burgerville currently has 47 locations throughout Oregon and Washington.[21]

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), which is the distance to the next Burgerville should one continue around the globe in that direction. The distance reported on each sign varies depending on the actual location of the billboard.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Joner, Cami (July 3, 2011). "Burgerville chief hopes to use lessons of first 50 years as guide for next 50". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  2. ↑ Hayes, Elizabeth (July 31, 2013). "Burgerville serves up generous health plan, mandate or not". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  3. ↑ Smith, Rob (May 13, 2005). "Burger joint shakes it up". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  4. 1 2 "Burgerville: About us - Company Profile". Archived from the original on 24 June 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 Trevison, Catherine (February 3, 2008). "Burgerville chief's sustainable vision". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  6. ↑ "The Converts - Green 50 - Sustainable businesses". Inc.com. November 2006. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  7. ↑ "The Holland Inc. Standardizes on 100 Percent Wind Power" (Press release). The Holland, Inc. August 15, 2005. Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  8. ↑ "Burgerville Rolls Out Composting and Recycling Program to All Units". QSR Magazine. November 23, 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  9. ↑ Horovitz, Bruce (August 20, 2009). "The tweet heard 'round Burgerville". USA Today.
  10. ↑ Gottfried, Miriam (January 8, 2007). "Want a Cause With That?". Volume 179; Issue 1. Forbes.
  11. ↑ Wallace, Hannah. "Shaking It Up". GOOD Magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  12. ↑ "Food Network Awards 2007". Food Network. Archived from the original on 2007-04-18. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
  13. ↑ http://katu.com/news/local/burgerville-workers-form-union-rally-for-higher-wages
  14. ↑ http://www.iww.org/content/service-workers-revolt-interview-burgerville-workers-union-and-stardust-family-united
  15. ↑ https://nwlaborpress.org/2017/01/burgerville-suspends-union-activist-for-eating-a-bagel/
  16. ↑ https://iww.org/content/portland-or-fast-food-chain-burgerville-union-busting-against-iww-organizer
  17. ↑ https://nwlaborpress.org/2016/10/fast-food-union-empties-out-burgerville-on-game-night/
  18. ↑ https://itsgoingdown.org/portland-iww-burgerville-workers-union-rallies-firing-co-worker/
  19. ↑ http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/portland-fast-food-workers-dont-just-want-a-raise-they-want-a-union-too-20160429
  20. ↑ https://roarmag.org/essays/portland-fast-food-workers-fighting-15/
  21. ↑ http://www.burgerville.com/locations/
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