An article in New York magazine’s Grub Street announces that California-based vegan fast-casual chain Veggie Grill has raised $22 million to expand nationwide.
According to Veggie Grill, on Wednesday investors provided another $22 million so it could finally expand beyond the West Coast. In 2013, the chain raised $20 million to double its number of restaurants to 28. The new investments should be enough to double the chain’s size yet again by 2019. Expansion is expected in primarily urban areas all over the country.
Additionally, the company is partnering with Beyond Meat to release a new burger. Veggie Grill will be the first chain to carry the Beyond Burger, a competitor of the Impossible Burger, a plant-based patty that bleeds beet juice.
Over the past few years, vegan restaurants and products have been on the rise. From the new Beyond Burger to the VeganEgg, plant-based products are taking over. While meat consumption in the U.S. fell 15 percent in 2015, vegan products are booming. In fact, they’re expected to make up a third of the protein market by 2054.
Veggie Grill isn’t the only company expanding. Earlier this year, the popular New York vegan eatery by Chloe announced it would open new locations in Los Angeles and Boston.
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