News

Veggie Grill to open 20th unit

August 19, 2013

Veggie Grill, the West Coast fast casual restaurant concept serving only plant-based food, will open its first restaurant in the San Diego community Thursday at Westfield UTC in La Jolla.

"We're excited to finally enter the San Diego market and to celebrate the opening of our 20th location," said Greg Dollarhyde, chief energizing officer for Veggie Grill. "We're very thoughtful about where we decide to open restaurants, focusing on communities containing mindful people that embrace and prefer delicious food that's better for you."

Out to break the stereotype of bland vegetarian food, Veggie Grill combines hearty, plant proteins with bold marinades and sauces in familiar menu items that people will enjoy every day, Dollarhyde said. The entire menu is free of animal fat, dairy, eggs, cholesterol, transfats, hormones and high-fructose corn syrup and includes a variety of hot sandwiches, wraps, burgers, homestyle plates, entrée salads, soups, organic teas and desserts. Signature items include the Santa Fe Crispy Chickin' Sandwich, All Hail Kale Salad, Buffalo Wings and Sweetheart Fries, made from sweet potatoes.

Armed with guest loyalty and increasing investor confidence, including the recent capital raise of $20 million in January, Veggie Grill is expanding up and down the West Coast. The company is on track to quickly grow its locations from 20, with the goal to double in size every 18 months. Veggie Grill will open its new La Jolla location followed by future San Diego County openings, including Carlsbad. Additional expansion is also planned for Westlake Village, Pasadena, Corte Madera, and Mountain View, Calif., as well as Seattle.

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