Elevation Burger becomes eighth Fat Brands concept
Fat Brands, the parent of multiple concepts, including Fatburger, Hurricane Grill & Wings and Yalla, has acquired Elevation Burger. According to a Fat Brands announcement, it completed the acquisition for $10M funded by a mix of seller’s notes and cash.
Elevation Burger, a “better burger” chain, is a better-for-you restaurant concept. Serving organic, grass-fed, free-range meats and chicken, it franchises 44 locations of its concept in the United States and abroad.
Elevation Burger gives Fat Brands a deeper foothold in the East Coast, where it is mostly concentrated. Los Angeles-base Fat Brands now franchises more than 400 stores domestically and internationally. System-wide sales exceeded $400M. The acquisition of Elevation Burger follows the acquisition of Yalla Mediterranean at the end of 2018. Fat Brands also acquired Hurricane Grill & Wings in 2018. Previously, Fat Brands bought the Bonanza and Ponderosa chains in 2017.
On-trend brands enhance Fat Brands concept portfolio
After three years of conceptualization, Hans and April Hess opened their first Elevation Burger in 2005 in Falls Church, Va. The couple wanted to emulate the type of burgers they had enjoyed on the West Coast. Elevation Burger team members grind the organic beef for the burgers in-house.
The acquisition of Elevation Burger by Fat Brands will give the chain additional resources and expertise for expansion. As for Fat Brands, Yalla and Elevation Burger are concepts that are on trend with consumers as they seek feel-good food options. Healthier ingredients and leaner, global cuisines are top of mind with many consumers today.
“We are thrilled to partner with the brand in this next chapter as they expand domestically and internationally and offer more consumers their organic, free-range, grass-fed offerings,” said Andy Wiederhorn, Fat Brands president and chief executive.
What’s more, Elevation Burger becomes Fat Brands’ eighth concept. Prior to the acquisition, Fat Brands franchised Fatburger, Buffalo’s Cafe, Buffalo’s Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Yalla Mediterranean, and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses.
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