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
External links
References
- Tiffany Hsu. Greg Dollarhyde is Veggie Grill's 'chief energizing officer' Los Angeles Times, November 24, 2013, retrieved 9 November 2014^
- Tiffany Hsu. Vegetarian alert: Veggie Grill plans major expansion Los Angeles Times, January 28, 2013, retrieved 9 November 2014^
- Veggie Grill Vegan.com, retrieved 2018-02-04^
- Carey Sweet. Veggie Grill coming to Corte Madera this spring Inside Scoop, February 5, 2014, retrieved 9 November 2014^
- 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^
- A vegan restaurant chain you've never heard of is gearing up for a massive expansion Business Insider, retrieved 2018-02-01^
- Veggie Grill closed nearly half its stores to protect its future, CEO says www.restaurantdive.com, retrieved 2026-02-23^
- Heather Lalley. Vegan chain Next Level Burger buys Veggie Grill Restaurant Business, retrieved 2024-01-16^
- Next Level Burger acquires Veggie Grill Nation's Restaurant News, 2024-01-11, retrieved 2024-01-16^
- When Healthy Meets Fast Food retrieved 2018-02-03^
- Veggie Grill aims to deliver Chicagoans an all-veggie dining experience. www.bizjournals.com, Chicago Business Journal, retrieved 2018-02-03^
- America's Largest Vegetarian Chain Plans Five Chicago Restaurant Openings Eater Chicago, retrieved 2018-02-03^
- Veggie Grill retrieved June 23, 2018^
- Beyond Meat's plans broader rollout for 'Beyond Burger' Fortune, retrieved 2018-02-02^
- Readers' Choice 2012: Food & Restaurants – Paid Post Los Angeles Times, 12 August 2012, retrieved 2018-02-04^
- The 2016 Veggie Awards VegNews.com, retrieved 2018-02-03^
- And the Winners of the 2017 Veggie Awards are … VegNews.com, retrieved 2018-02-03^
- And the Winners of the 2018 Veggie Awards are … retrieved 7 February 2019^
- Ryan Caldbeck. CircleUp25: The 25 Most Innovative Consumer Brands of 2016 Forbes, retrieved 2018-02-03^