Burgerville Is Partnering With Investors to Propel Expansion Plans | Eater Portland

"Based in Vancouver, Washington and founded in 1961, I note that Burgerville operates 39 restaurants between Corvallis, Oregon and Centralia, Washington and is known for burgers and other fast-food fare made with local products, including seasonal items like marionberry milkshakes and Walla Walla onion rings. The company has partnered with a mostly local investment group that includes the Mears family, CEO Ed Casey (who started in 2022 and will remain in the role), and former Dutch Bros CEO Joth Ricci, whose tenure at Dutch Bros saw the company go public and reduce drive-thru wait times. Leadership predicts an aggressive expansion—potentially about 10 new stores a year toward a target of 100 within five years—using a strategy of acquiring and converting existing fast-food locations where some municipalities prohibit new drive-thrus; roughly half of Burgerville’s restaurants sit on land owned by the Mears family. There is also reported, but unclear, interest from Portland’s Sortis Capital in a possible $48 million deal." - Janey Wong