Elevation Burger Explained

Elevation Burger
Type:Subsidiary
Genre:Fast casual
Foundation:
Falls Church, Virginia, U.S.
Founder:Hans Hess
Location City:Falls Church, Virginia
Location Country:United States
Locations:40
Area Served:Bahrain
Kuwait
Qatar
United States
Key People:Cord Thomas, CEO
Industry:Restaurant
Products:Hamburgers, french fries, soft drinks, ice cream, milkshakes
Parent:FAT Brands

Elevation Burger is an American fast casual restaurant chain that specializes in organic hamburgers. The company originated in Falls Church, Virginia, within the Washington Metropolitan Area. They have over 40 locations operating in the United States, Bahrain, Kuwait & Qatar.February 2024.

History

The initial idea of an organic fast casual restaurant was conceived in 2002 by founder and owner Hans Hess. He opened the first restaurant in September 2005, in Falls Church, Virginia,[1] and was called "the first organic burger joint" by Saveur magazine.[2] The meat for non-vegetarian burgers is USDA-certified organic, grass fed, free range beef.[3]

In Spring 2008, Elevation Burger decided to expand from its original location through franchising with the help of Fransmart the company behind the franchise success of a competitor.[4] Subsequently, they announced franchising deals for new restaurants in the Washington Metropolitan Area (April 2008),[5] Baltimore, Maryland (September 2008),[6] Austin, Texas (October 2008),[7] Montclair, New Jersey (November 2008),[8] Florida (March 2009),[9] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (May 2009),[10] New York City (May 2009),[11] and Dallas, Texas (June 2009).[12] [13] All stores in Florida, Michigan[14] & Texas have since closed.

Elevation Burger's corporate parent and founder appeared in a June 2009 The Wall Street Journal article as one of the companies recently targeted by fake Twitter profiles. The respective Twitter profile, created in the name of Elevation Burger but promoting a rival, was discovered in March 2009, then suspended after a letter from Hess's lawyer.[15]

On June 20, 2019, Nations Restaurant News reported that Elevation was acquired by Fat Brands for $10 million.[16]

In mid-March 2020, like many other restaurants, indoor dine-ins were shut down. Take-away, drive-thru or pick-up service were the only options for customers to place orders for some time.

Awards and innovative ideas

The buildings of the Elevation Burger chain typically pursue LEED certification regulated by United States Green Building Council.[17]

Reception

Elevation Burger was named as one of fast rising casual restaurant chains,[18] catering to health-conscious clients.[19] Its restaurants were praised for the quality of their food[20] [21] [22] and they were included among the local attractions and best restaurants of Washington D.C.,[23] [24] Baltimore,[25] and other cities.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: West Coast' burgers get lift . . April 7, 2008 . 2009-08-05.
  2. Web site: Burger Franchise Firsts . Saveur (Issue #122) . https://archive.today/20131113204053/http://www.saveur.com/article/Our-Favorite-Foods/Burger-Franchise-Firsts . dead . 2013-11-13 . 2009-08-05 .
  3. Web site: Carissa Dimargo . Fast Food Goes Organic . NBC Washington . May 22, 2009 . 2009-08-05.
  4. Web site: Eater Staff . Mega-Chains in the Making: Smashburger, Elevation Burger, and Mooyah Burger . . 26 April 2011 . 2014-12-22.
  5. Web site: Gillian Gaynair . Elevation Burger to open 7 more restaurants in the Washington Area . . April 15, 2008 . 2009-08-05.
  6. Web site: Burger with a Heart . Baltimore Magazine . September 18, 2008 . 2009-08-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081205090242/http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/ingoodtaste/index.php/2008/09/burger-with-a-heart/ . 2008-12-05.
  7. Web site: Kiah Collier . Organic burger joint taps into Austin's eco-friendly scene . . October 3, 2008 . 2009-08-05.
  8. Web site: Organic Burger Concept Continues Expansion . QSR Magazine . November 24, 2008 . 2009-08-05.
  9. Web site: Elevation Burger Signs Multi-Unit Fla. Deal . QSR Magazine . March 30, 2009 . 2009-08-05.
  10. Web site: Carissa Dimargo and Kelly Bayliss . Organic Burger Chain Coming to Philly . NBC Philadelphia . May 20, 2009 . 2009-08-05.
  11. Web site: Elevation Burger Expands to Manhattan . QSR Magazine . May 14, 2008 . 2009-08-05.
  12. Web site: Holly Lafon . New Organic Fast-Food Restaurant Coming to Dallas . NBC DFW . July 7, 2009 . 2009-08-05.
  13. Web site: Organic Burger Chain Signs Deal in Dallas . Chainleader.com . June 24, 2009 . 2009-08-05.
  14. Web site: Parlette. Sarah. 2020-01-31. Elevation Burger quickly and quietly closes both Ann Arbor locations. 2021-03-01. WDIV. en.
  15. Web site: Sarah E. Needleman . Companies Cope With Twitter Imposters . The Wall Street Journal . June 29, 2009 . 2009-09-02.
  16. Web site: FAT Brands buys Elevation Burger for $10M. Dawson . Gloria . Jun 20, 2019. Nations Restaurant News. June 22, 2019.
  17. Web site: Karon Warner . Tried and True . QSR magazine . March 2009 . 2009-08-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090418061037/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/operations/126/green_certifications-1.phtml . 2009-04-18 . dead .
  18. News: Tim Carman . New Guys Are on The Rise . The Washington Post . July 9, 2008 . F01 . 2009-08-05.
  19. Web site: Flat Lining Organics . QSR magazine . December 2008 . 2009-08-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090331223446/http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/features/122/organic-1.phtml . 2009-03-31 . dead .
  20. News: Tom Sietsema . Juicy Cuisine: Hamburgers Done Right (2008 Fall Dining Guide) . The Washington Post . October 12, 2008 . W28 . 2009-08-05.
  21. Web site: Ann Limpert . The Wrap-Up: The Week in Food . . April 18, 2008 . 2009-08-05.
  22. Web site: Now even Thomas Berger is flipping out for burgers . Restaurant Hospitality . November 25, 2008 . 2009-08-05.
  23. Web site: Readers' Choice: Best of Washington . . June 20, 2008 . 2009-08-05.
  24. Web site: Washington, DC - Best Dining . City's Best (AOL) . 2009-08-05 . 2008-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080519094718/http://citysbest.aol.com/washington-dc/best-dining/burgers/ . dead .
  25. Web site: Max Weiss . Best of Baltimore 2009 . Baltimore Magazine . 2009-08-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100131024804/http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/article.asp?t=1&m=1&c=32&s=720&ai=85593 . 2010-01-31.