Elevation Burger has given Fairfax, Virginia area residents and businesses two options for enjoying their “better-tasting, better-for-you burgers.” In the last month, the nation’s first and largest organic better burger chain has opened two new locations in Fairfax, the first at Fair Oaks Mall, followed by one at the Turnpike Shopping Center in Fairfax City, bringing the total number to ten Elevation Burger locations in the D.C. metro area, of which four are located in Fairfax County.
Opened on October 24, the Elevation Burger at The Fair Oaks Mall is operated by Jun and Trish Yi, who, after years of frequenting the Falls Church location with their children, decided to open one of their own. “We have been huge fans of Elevation Burger for five years, and our kids have grown up on their organic burgers,” says Jun Yi. “As parents, we have always looked for organic options – even in fast casual food — and it made perfect sense to open our own franchise since we are such believers in the quality of this product.”
The second Fairfax location, at the Turnpike Shopping Center across from Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School, opened on November 21 and marks the company’s fourth corporately owned store, joining the 30 stores operated by franchisees. In 2009, Forbes magazine declared Fairfax the nation’s third best city to “Live Well,” and Elevation Burger hopes to add to the quality of living by bringing both great tasting and healthy organic options to the table. Both Fairfax locations will feature the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine, serving more than 100 drink choices, which include 70 low/no calorie options.
“We are thrilled to open not one, but two stores in Fairfax, as we opened the very first Elevation Burger not too far away in Falls Church seven years ago,” says founder and CEO Hans Hess. “It has always been our goal to bring great-tasting organic burgers to the masses, and we hope to reach at least 75 Elevation Burger locales by the end of 2014.”
Elevation Burger prides itself on an “elevated” experience and a fresh approach that puts people and product ahead of profit. The franchised chain offers many healthier alternatives to standard fast food choices, including two variations of a veggie burger, lettuce-wrapped burgers, non-processed, 6-month aged cheddar cheese, and cookies made with organic butter and eggs. Elevation Burger is also the only better burger restaurant to feature organic, hardwood-smoked uncured bacon on its menu.
The organic food and beverage segment has experienced 9.5 percent annual growth in 2011 alone, growing from a $1 billion market in 1990 to an estimated $31.5 billion market in 2011, according to the Organic Trade Association.
Elevation Burger has been recognized by Saveur magazine as the nation's first organic hamburger chain since opening its original location in 2005. It has been recognized as one of the most innovative burger chains in the country, with AOL Small Business calling Elevation Burger the “Next Big Chain,” and The Food Channel dubbing it one of the “up and comers” in the emerging “better burger” category.
