Next Level Burger

Veggie Grill by Next Level

@ Veggie Grill by Next Level
Food Service

Next Level Burger Acquisition Inspires Veggie Grill’s Menu Revamp

Fast-casual chain Veggie Grill by Next Level, now operating under the ownership of Next Level Burger (NLB), is launching a new menu on August 14, marking the most significant update since its acquisition in January 2024.  The updated menu features five new burgers, two chik’n sandwiches, and a salad, all of which are existing favorites from NLB. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to standardize offerings across both brands, with a strong emphasis on health-conscious choices and organic produce—a shift Veggie Grill adopted following its acquisition. The new menu features a range of plant-based burgers, including the Signature Veggie Burger with a quinoa and mushroom patty, the SoCal Veggie Burger with tempeh bacon and special sauce, and the American ChzBurger, a classic option …

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Next Level Burger newsweek winner

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Fast Food

Next Level Burger Outshines Conventional Fast Food Chains, Landing #1 Spot in Awards Voted by Newsweek Readers

Next Level Burger (NLB), which refers to itself as “America’s first 100% plant-based burger joint chain,” announces it has received the title of Best Fast-Food Chain in the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards and winning against conventional non-vegan chains. Next Level Burger was the sole plant-based nominee among conventional fast-food giants. The winners were selected based on public votes after a panel of experts at Newsweek put forward a list of nominees. Matt de Gruyter, co-founder and CEO of NLB, stated, “The fact that our 10-unit vegan restaurant chain was able to beat out chains with thousands of units and global brand presence is an incredible honor. For us, the significance of this win is even deeper, as it shows that consumers are becoming more …

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Next Level Burger

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Investments & Acquisitions

Next Level Burger Leads Veggie Grill Out of Financial Distress With Company Acquisition

Plant-based burger chain Next Level Burger (NLB) has announced the acquisition of vegan fast-casual chain Veggie Grill from VegInvest. The agreement comes as a rescue mission for Veggie Grill, which faced financial distress in the wake of various operational decisions, including the closure of several establishments, ultimately pushing it to the brink of bankruptcy in the previous year. At its peak, Veggie Grill operated 35 locations across the United States, but by September 2023, the number had dwindled to 17, with the brand attributing the setback to a substantial decline in lunch trade during the pandemic. Following the acquisition, VegInvest has transitioned into a mission-aligned shareholder and partner within NLB’s framework. With Veggie Grill now under its umbrella, NLB now boasts an extensive network of …

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Next Level Burger Steak Burger

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Fast Food

Next Level Burger Says its Vegan Meals Are Displacing Meat Consumption

Portland, Oregon-based Next Level Burger, which raised $20M last year stating lofty plans to quadruple its store count and open 1,000 locations by 2025, states it is disrupting the fast-casual industry with its sustainable offerings. The vegan fast food chain, which is currently operating ten locations in the USA, reports that it carried out a survey of 339 respondents from Next Level Burger stores in five key markets — Portland, Denver, Brooklyn, San Francisco, and Seattle — which it says shows how its vegan offerings are displacing meat consumption. In its methodology, Next Level Burger says it did not include its Texas store in the survey. “Known for a barbecue and beef-centric food culture, we would expect even more guests in the Texas market who …

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Slutty Vegan burgers and fries

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Fast Food

The 7 Fastest Growing Vegan Fast Food Chains (North America)

Once a rare novelty, vegan fast food chains are increasingly becoming a mainstream trend across the US and Canada. As the number of vegan fast food brands grows, so does their ambition to redefine the global fast food industry with 100% plant-based cuisine. From simple beginnings, many of the companies on this list have since embarked on bold expansion plans to bring more sustainable and healthy comfort food to the masses. In no particular order, here are seven brands aiming to outdo McDonald’s. 1. Plant Power Fast Food Current locations: 12  Founded in 2016, Plant Power has consistently expanded its brand – which serves plant-based versions of classic burgers, fries and shakes – across Southern California and into Nevada. Its stunning Las Vegas restaurant features …

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Vegan Brunch Burger

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Fast Food

Next Level Burger and JUST Egg Team Up to Celebrate “National Egg Month” with Plant-Based Brunch Burger

Starting May 1, plant-based burger chain Next Level Burger (NLB) announces it will debut The Brunch Burger featuring JUST Egg to help customers celebrate US National Egg Month in a more healthy and sustainable way.  While National Egg Month can be a time to recognize chicken eggs as a popular source of protein, NLB says, egg production can also be very harmful to the environment, with US egg farming using 93 million acres of land and 51 billion gallons of water each year.  In contrast, the plant-based JUST Egg, made from mung beans, uses 98% less water, 83% less land and creates 93% fewer CO2 emissions than chicken eggs. It also offers six grams of plant protein, with no cholesterol and less saturated fat than …

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Next Level Bigger Vegan Burgers

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Gastronomy & Food Service

Next Level Burger Unveils New Menu and ‘Defies Inflation’ with Bigger Burger Patties

Plant-based burger chain Next Level Burger (NLB), announces it is rolling out a new menu at all 10 of its US locations. In addition to expanded offerings, the brand will now offer an Actual Veggies burger along with larger-sized Beyond Burger patties.  NLB, which operates locations in six states, says the new menu will feature a range of indulgences, such as The Classic Burger (A smash burger patty, organic dill pickles and choice of sauce) to The Animal (Two quarter-pound Beyond Burger patties, cheese, organic tempeh bacon, a layer of French fries, grilled onions, tomato and lettuce on an organic bun.) Along with a new milkshake and chicken sandwich, the brand is adding a Chipotle Burger featuring an Actual Veggies Black Bean Burger patty with …

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Next Level Burger

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Food Service

Next Level Burger Opens First Standalone Seattle Location

US vegan burger chain Next Level Burger has opened its second Seattle restaurant. It is the chain’s first standalone site in the city, after the success of the Roosevelt location inside Whole Foods. Based at the Ballard Blocks on 46th Street, the new restaurant is also Next Level Burger’s tenth nationwide. According to the chain, it features vibrant colours, warm, sustainable wood, and an 1800-square-foot dining room with additional patio seating. Takeout is also available, using fully compostable containers. The menu includes favourites such as: Signature Burger — mushroom and quinoa patty, avocado, cheese, and garlic-thyme mayo. Maverick Burger — seasoned Beyond Burger patty, onion rings, tempeh bacon, dill pickles, choice of cheese, hickory BBQ, and special sauce. Chipotle Burger — chipotle black bean patty, guacamole, pickled jalapeños, …

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Next Level Burger Stacked Vegan Burger

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Investments & Finance

Next Level Burger Raises $20M to Quadruple US Stores and Accelerate Path to 1,000 Locations

Vegan burger chain Next Level Burger announces it has raised $20M in funding to accelerate its plans for national US expansion. The company’s growth includes quadrupling its store count by the end of 2025, and eventually opening 1,000 locations.  According to the brand, the round was led by a strategic organic and natural foods partner, private mission-driven shareholders and early stage vegan investors Alex Payne, formerly of Twitter and Simple Bank, and Nicole Brodeur.  Operating nine locations in California, Oregon, Colorado, Texas and New York, Next Level is renowned for its 100% plant-based take on classic American fast food. Its selection of burgers, fries, and decadent milkshakes use only non-GMO ingredients and organic produce, while its product packaging is fully compostable.  1,000 outlets in 10 …

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Next Level Burger Stacked Vegan Burger

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Gastronomy & Food Service

West Coast Favorite Next Level Burger Opening New Flagship Location in Denver, CO

Plant-based burger chain Next Level Burger announces it is opening its flagship restaurant in Denver, CO on August 20th. The new outlet will be the Oregon-based brand’s ninth national location and first in Colorado.  Calling itself “America’s First Plant-Based Burger Joint”, the eight-year-old Next Level brand is famous for its healthy yet decadent take on fast food, ranging from stacked vegan burgers and Crispy Chik’n sandwiches to baskets of tenders, loaded fries and creamy hand-spun milkshakes.  Next Level emphasizes clean eating by maintaining a non-GMO policy and using all-organic produce as well as compostable packaging. The brand is concentrated on the West Coast but operates additional locations in Brooklyn and Austin, TX.   Quadrupling locations In February 2022, the chain announced plans for an accelerated US …

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Good Catch crispy fish burger

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Fast Food

Plant-Based Chain Next Level Burger Debuts Good Catch Crispy Fish Burger

Alt-seafood brand Good Catch and US plant-based restaurant chain Next Level Burger have joined forces to launch the vegan Crispy Fish Burger. The burger is made with Good Catch’s Plant-Based Breaded Fish Fillet and topped with lemon-herb mayo, organic lettuce, tomato, and plant-based American cheese. Served on an organic white bun, the burger will be available from April 1-30 at all Next Level Burger restaurants. Next Level describes itself as the US’ first plant-based burger chain. The company currently has seven locations, but has announced plans to quadruple this figure by 2025. 10% of profits from the Crispy Fish Burger will go to the Ocean Blue Project, a nonprofit removing plastic pollution from the oceans. Good Catch partnerships Previously, Good Catch has entered into partnerships …

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Next Level Burger Steak Burger

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Gastronomy & Food Service

Next Level Burger Plans to Quadruple Its US Locations By End of 2025

Next Level Burger, a popular plant-based burger chain, announces the brand intends to add dozens of outlets over the next four years, as part of an accelerated US expansion.  Based in Oregon, Next Level Burger is renowned for its casual and colorful take on healthy and sustainable fast food. Its signature menu features a lineup of organic and non-GMO vegan burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries and handspun milkshakes. In addition to the original store in Bend, Oregon, the brand operates six locations in Washington, California, New York and Texas.  Next Level wants to significantly increase its restaurant footprint, and reveals it is on track to open many more locations. To reach new communities, the chain plans to expand into the West Coast, Southwest and Northeast regions, …

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