Veggie Grill

Veggie Grill is a fast-casual vegan restaurant chain that operates in California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York. It is based in Irvine, California.[1][2][3] The chain focuses on offering only plant-based food.[4]

History

In 2006, Kevin Boylan and T.K. Pillan co-founded Veggie Grill.[5]

In 2013 the company raised $20 million in capital, mainly from Brentwood Associates, and announced plans for national expansion.[6]

In 2023 it was announced 12 stores would be closing.[7]

In January 2024, it was acquired by Oregon-based vegan fast food restaurant chain Next Level Burger.[8][9]

Expansion

Veggie Grill plans to double in the next couple of years.[10] In early 2018, the restaurant opened two locations in Chicago, its first locations outside of the West Coast.[11] Veggie Grill also intends to open four more Chicago-area locations at an undetermined date.[12] In 2019 they opened a location in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, its first East Coast location.[13]

Partnerships and menu

In 2016, Veggie Grill partnered with Beyond Meat to create their plant-based burgers.[14]

Reception

Veggie Grill was voted "Best American" cuisine restaurant by The Los Angeles Times readers in 2012.[15]

Veggie Grill received VegNews Magazine's winner for Favorite Vegan Chain in 2016,[16] 2017,[17] and 2018.[18]

Veggie Grill made the list for 25 Most Innovative Consumer Brands of 2016 by Forbes.[19]

See also

  • List of vegetarian restaurants
  • Veganism

References

  1. Tiffany Hsu. Greg Dollarhyde is Veggie Grill's 'chief energizing officer' Los Angeles Times, November 24, 2013, retrieved 9 November 2014^
  2. Tiffany Hsu. Vegetarian alert: Veggie Grill plans major expansion Los Angeles Times, January 28, 2013, retrieved 9 November 2014^
  3. Veggie Grill Vegan.com, retrieved 2018-02-04^
  4. Carey Sweet. Veggie Grill coming to Corte Madera this spring Inside Scoop, February 5, 2014, retrieved 9 November 2014^
  5. How I Made It: Veggie Grill's T.K. Pillan learned to harness the power of plants Los Angeles Times, 2018-09-30, retrieved 2025-05-26^
  6. A vegan restaurant chain you've never heard of is gearing up for a massive expansion Business Insider, retrieved 2018-02-01^
  7. Veggie Grill closed nearly half its stores to protect its future, CEO says www.restaurantdive.com, retrieved 2026-02-23^
  8. Heather Lalley. Vegan chain Next Level Burger buys Veggie Grill Restaurant Business, retrieved 2024-01-16^
  9. Next Level Burger acquires Veggie Grill Nation's Restaurant News, 2024-01-11, retrieved 2024-01-16^
  10. When Healthy Meets Fast Food retrieved 2018-02-03^
  11. Veggie Grill aims to deliver Chicagoans an all-veggie dining experience. www.bizjournals.com, Chicago Business Journal, retrieved 2018-02-03^
  12. America's Largest Vegetarian Chain Plans Five Chicago Restaurant Openings Eater Chicago, retrieved 2018-02-03^
  13. Veggie Grill retrieved June 23, 2018^
  14. Beyond Meat's plans broader rollout for 'Beyond Burger' Fortune, retrieved 2018-02-02^
  15. Readers' Choice 2012: Food & Restaurants – Paid Post Los Angeles Times, 12 August 2012, retrieved 2018-02-04^
  16. The 2016 Veggie Awards VegNews.com, retrieved 2018-02-03^
  17. And the Winners of the 2017 Veggie Awards are … VegNews.com, retrieved 2018-02-03^
  18. And the Winners of the 2018 Veggie Awards are … retrieved 7 February 2019^
  19. Ryan Caldbeck. CircleUp25: The 25 Most Innovative Consumer Brands of 2016 Forbes, retrieved 2018-02-03^