Super Eco

Photo credit: sarah gilbert

Burgerville is a small chain of 38 fast food restaurants in Oregon and southern Washington that specialize in using local, seasonal ingredients in their food, and has an unusually strong commitment to sustainability. In 2003, the company began buying all its beef from Oregon cooperative Country Natural Beef, which guarantees humane treatment of its cattle, at least a year and a half of range feeding, and no artificial hormones or antibiotics. The company also purchases wind power; composts; recycles its fryer oil for biodiesel; only offers seasonal products (like its Walla Walla onion rings, strawberry milkshakes, and sweet potato fries) when local produce is available; and provides unlicensed toys in its kids' meals. Each spring, for instance, the chain offers pea and tomato seeds with little start pots.

The Holland Company, a creamery in Vancouver, Washington, was founded by Jacob Propstra in 1922. He was a Dutch immigrant. His son George opened the first Burgerville restaurant in 1961, and insisted that his restaurants serve fresh food purchased from local businesses, such as his dad's creamery. Burgerville is still in the family; the CEO of The Holland, Inc., parent to Burgerville and the "Beaches" restaurant chain, Tom Mears, is George Propstra's son-in-law.

Notable Eco Activity

Burgerville is famous for its commitment to sustainability, from its use of local and seasonal foods -- like Tillamook cheese on its signature burgers and hazelnuts on its salads -- to its use of wind power and recycling programs. In 2003 the company was recognized by Gourmet magazine for having the "freshest fast food" in the U.S. In 2004 Burgerville began purchasing 100% range-fed beef from an Oregon cooperative. In 2005 it began purchasing all the energy to power its facilities from wind power, eliminating 17.4 million pounds of carbon emissions each year. In 2006, Burgerville started recycling all its used fryer oil, and in 2007 delivered 53,000 gallons of oil to refineries for conversion into biodiesel. In 2007 the company began composting food waste, leading to an 85% reduction in waste, and recycling in every restaurant.

• Burgerville Details

  • Year Founded

    1961

  • Founded By

    Unavailable

  • Green Products?

    Unavailable

  • Hazardous Products?

    Unavailable

  • Sector

    Unavailable

  • Industry

    Unavailable

  • Help Line

    360-694-1521

  • Help Address

    Unavailable

  • Fax Number

    Unavailable

  • Website

    http://www.burgerville.com/

  • Key Execs

    George Propstra

  • Competitors

    Unavailable

  
  

• Burgerville Locations

  • Headquarters

    109 West 17th St. Vancouver, WA 98660

  • Mail Address

    109 West 17th St. Vancouver, WA 98660

  • Operates In

    United States

  • Manufacturing

    Unavailable

  
  

• Burgerville Financial Information

  • Company Type

    Privately held

  • Yearly Revenue

    Unavailable

  • Traded On

    Unavailable

  • Symbols

    Unavailable