According to an article from the Portland Business Journal, a group of high-profile investors is acquiring a stake in the Northwest fast food chain Burgerville.
A representative of Burgerville was not immediately available for commentary upon What Now Portland’s request.
According to the article, “The group includes former Dutch Bros Chief Executive Joth Ricci and Burgerville CEO Ed Casey. The deal is scheduled to close on Monday, according to a spokesperson for the investors.”
“Vancouver-based Burgerville was founded by the Mears family in 1961. The privately held company operates 39 locations in Oregon and Washington and employs approximately 1,500 employees. Its 40th location, in Wilsonville, will open soon.”
“The investor group indicated Burgerville’s signatures, such as cooking with locally sourced goods and operating sustainably, would remain, with Ricci praising those aspects of the business in an interview. “It’s slow food served fast,” he said.”
“After nearly a decade of no new restaurants, the investor group announcement obtained by the Business Journal indicated the deal would help propel a rapid expansion, with plans to open up to 10 new restaurants in the coming year. Each new restaurant will employ 35 to 40 workers.”
“Casey told the Business Journal in January that Burgerville was evaluating locations in Salem, Bend, and south to Medford. He confirmed on Friday that the expansion was tied to the investor deal.”
