Burgerville, USA

Infobox_Company
company_name = Burgerville, USA
company_
parent = The Holland Inc.
company_type= Private
slogan = Fresh, Local, Sustainable
foundation = 1961
location = Vancouver, Washington
key_people =
industry = Fast Casual
num_employees = 1,600
revenue =
net_income =
products = Fast food, including hamburgers, french fries
homepage = [http://www.burgerville.com/ 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, gardenburgers, and halibut fish and chips. All Burgerville, USA locations are within a 180 mile radius, mostly in the Portland metropolitan area. [cite web | first = Rob | last = Smith | title = Burger joint shakes it up | publisher = Portland Business Journal | date = May 13, 2005 | url = http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2005/05/16/editorial2.html | accessdate = 2008-01-01]

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, eggnog, huckleberries, and blackberries, and side orders such as Walla Walla onion rings, sweet potato fries and Yukon Gold potatoes.

History

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

Burgerville is known for its progressive business practices and commitment to local resources.cite web | first = Catherine | last = Trevison | title = Burgerville chief's sustainable vision | publisher = The Oregonian | date = February 3, 2008 | url = http://www.oregonlive.com/suburban/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_east_news/120191730759330.xml&coll=7 | accessdate = 2008-02-03] [cite web | title = The Converts - Green 50 - Sustainable businesses | publisher = Inc.com | month = November | year = 2006 | url = http://www.inc.com/magazine/20061101/green50_converts.html | accessdate = 2008-02-03] The chain uses 100% wind power for all of its restaurants and headquarters, [cite press release | title = The Holland Inc. Standardizes on 100 Percent Wind Power | publisher = The Holland, Inc. | date = August 15, 2005 |url = http://www.burgerville.com/html/our_company/press/green_power.html | accessdate = 2008-01-01] 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. In 2004, Burgerville switched to range-fed beef raised without hormones and antibiotics. In 2007, it begain composting food waste which is expected to result in an 85% reduction in waste and $100,000 annual savings. [cite web | title = Burgerville Rolls Out Composting and Recycling Program to All Units | publisher = QSR Magazine | date = November 23, 2007 | url = http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/news/story.phtml?id=5801 | accessdate = 2008-02-03]

The fast casual restaurant chain was named by Gourmet magazine as having the freshest fast food in the country in 2003, [cite news | last = Gottfried | first = Miriam | title = Want a Cause With That? | publisher = Forbes | work = Volume 179; Issue 1 | date = January 8 2007 ] with offerings such as a salad with smoked salmon and Oregon hazelnuts. [cite web | last = Wallace | first = Hannah | title = Shaking It Up | publisher = GOOD Magazine | url = http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Look/shaking_it_up | accessdate = 2008-01-01] 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. [cite web | title = Food Network Awards 2007 | publisher = Food Network | url = http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_aw/text/0,3151,FOOD_28456_61089,00.html | accessdate = 2007-01-01]

In January 2008, Jeff Harvey became president and CEO Bugerville and Tom Mears, former president/CEO of Burgerville, became Chairman of The Holland, Inc. ["Burgerville: About Us: Company Profile." 2008. Shepherd-Interactive. 10 April 2008 ]

Locations

Burgerville, USA currently has 39 locations throughout Oregon and Washington.cite web | title = Our Company | publisher = Burgerville | url = http://www.burgerville.com/bv.html | accessdate = 2008-01-01]

In 2005, the company announced plans to start an expansion into the areas of Seattle, Washington and Bend, Oregon, opening up to ten new restaurants. However, as of March 2007, those expansion plans have not been started yet. Burgerville CEO Jeff Harvey recently announced the company is getting a renewed focus on those expansion plans, as well as renovating older locations.Fact|date=June 2008

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.burgerville.com/ Official website]
* [http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/whereweeat/stern_burgerville.shtml August 2004 story on Burgerville] from "The Splendid Table"