Burgerville, USA

Type	Private
Founded	1961
Headquarters	Vancouver, Washington
Industry	Fast Casual
Products	Fast food, including hamburgers, french fries
Employees	1,600
Parent	The Holland Inc.
Website	www.burgerville.com

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. All Burgerville, USA locations are within an 80 mile radius, mostly in the Portland metropolitan area.^[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 and Yukon Gold potatoes.

[edit] History

Exterior of the 2nd Burgerville, USA location on Mill Plain Blvd. in Downtown Vancouver, Washington.

Burgerville was founded in 1961 by George Propstra in Vancouver, Washington.

Burgerville is known for its progressive business practices and commitment to local resources.^[2][3] The chain uses 100% wind power for all of its restaurants and headquarters,^[4] 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.^[2] In 2004, Burgerville switched to range-fed beef raised without hormones and antibiotics.^[2] In 2007, it began composting food waste which is expected to result in an 85% reduction in waste and $100,000 annual savings.^[5]

In the summer of 2009, Burgerville gave use of the drive-thru window to bicyclists.

The fast casual restaurant chain was named by Gourmet magazine as having the freshest fast food in the country in 2003,^[6] with offerings such as a salad with smoked salmon and Oregon hazelnuts.^[7] 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.^[8]

In January 2008, Jeff Harvey accepted the position of President and CEO of Burgerville, USA after Tom Mears, the former holder of the titles stepped aside, and became Chairman of the company.^[9]

[edit] Locations

Burgerville in The Dalles

A billboard for the The Dalles Burgerville consisting a warning sign to drivers that it is the "last Burgerville for 24,337 miles."

Burgerville, USA currently has 39 locations throughout Oregon and Washington.

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) (distance varies on the actual signs depending on location): The distance to the next Burgerville should you continue around the globe in that direction.

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Burgerville, USA

[edit] External links

• Official website
• August 2004 story on Burgerville from The Splendid Table