Elevation Burger
Corporate brand
UnclaimedElevation Burger is an American fast-casual restaurant brand centered on organic, grass-fed hamburgers and environmentally conscious restaurant design.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Elevation Burger is an American fast-casual hamburger chain founded by Hans Hess in Falls Church, Virginia. Its concept was developed around the idea of offering a more environmentally and health-conscious alternative to conventional fast-food burger restaurants. The brand emphasizes organic ingredients, especially USDA-certified organic beef from grass-fed, free-range cattle for its non-vegetarian burgers, while also offering vegetarian and other fast-casual menu choices. Hess conceived the organic fast-casual restaurant idea in 2002 and opened the first Elevation Burger restaurant in September 2005. The original location, in the Washington metropolitan area, helped establish the brand's identity as an organic burger specialist. Contemporary coverage positioned it as an early example of an organic burger restaurant, and the concept attracted attention from diners seeking food perceived as higher quality or more responsibly sourced than standard quick-service fare. The company began pursuing franchising in spring 2008 with assistance from Fransmart, a franchise-development firm associated with the growth of other restaurant chains. During 2008 and 2009, Elevation Burger announced franchise agreements or expansion plans for the Washington metropolitan area, Baltimore, Austin, Montclair, Florida, Philadelphia, New York City, and Dallas. Several of those markets later contracted or closed; the Florida, Michigan, and Texas locations identified in the reference material are no longer operating. The chain subsequently developed an international presence in the Middle East, including Kuwait and Qatar. Elevation Burger's brand positioning combines organic beef, made-to-order burgers, a fast-casual service model, and sustainability-oriented restaurant construction. Its locations have typically pursued Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification administered through the U.S. Green Building Council. This environmental emphasis, together with its ingredient standards, helped the chain appeal to health-conscious consumers and receive favorable local attention in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and other markets. In 2019, Elevation Burger was acquired by FAT Brands for a reported $10 million. Like many restaurant businesses, its operations were disrupted in March 2020 when indoor dining was suspended or restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic; takeout, pickup, and drive-through service became important alternatives. The supplied reference material states that FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2026 and later announced the sale of Elevation Burger to TabCo International Food Catering K.S.C.C. for $2.5 million in April 2026, with plans to expand the brand further in the Middle East. Because those ownership events are dated after the most broadly established historical record, the brand's present corporate status should be verified against current filings and company announcements.
History
Elevation Burger's origins trace to 2002, when Hans Hess developed the idea of an organic fast-casual restaurant. The concept sought to combine the convenience of a burger chain with ingredient standards and operating practices associated with more environmentally and health-conscious dining. Hess opened the first restaurant in September 2005 in Falls Church, Virginia, in the Washington metropolitan area. The restaurant's focus on organic burgers distinguished it from most mainstream burger chains, and contemporary food coverage described it as an early organic burger specialist. The brand's core non-vegetarian product uses USDA-certified organic beef from grass-fed, free-range cattle. This sourcing message became central to Elevation Burger's identity and helped it appeal to diners interested in animal husbandry, organic certification, and perceived food quality. The restaurants also developed a sustainability-oriented physical presence: locations typically pursued LEED certification under standards administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. After operating from its original base, Elevation Burger moved into franchising in spring 2008. The company worked with Fransmart to develop the franchise system and announced planned expansion across a number of U.S. markets. These announcements covered the Washington metropolitan area in April 2008, Baltimore in September 2008, Austin in October 2008, Montclair in November 2008, Florida in March 2009, Philadelphia and New York City in May 2009, and Dallas in June 2009. The expansion demonstrated an effort to turn a regional organic-burger concept into a broader fast-casual chain. However, not all planned markets proved durable, and the Florida, Michigan, and Texas stores listed in the reference material subsequently closed. In 2009, the company became the subject of a digital impersonation incident. A fake Twitter profile used Elevation Burger's name while promoting a competitor. The account was discovered in March and was later suspended after a letter from Hess's lawyer. The incident was reported in the context of a wider set of fake social-media profiles affecting restaurant companies. Elevation Burger continued operating as a specialty burger brand and gained local recognition in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and other communities. Its appeal rested on the combination of organic beef, fast-casual ordering, vegetarian alternatives, and sustainability claims. On June 20, 2019, Nations Restaurant News reported that FAT Brands acquired the chain for $10 million. The acquisition placed Elevation Burger within a larger multi-brand restaurant group while retaining its distinct organic-burger positioning. The COVID-19 pandemic created a major operational interruption for the restaurant industry. Beginning in mid-March 2020, indoor dining was shut down or restricted in many jurisdictions. Elevation Burger, like comparable restaurant chains, relied on takeout, pickup, and drive-through service while dine-in operations were unavailable or limited. The supplied source material describes further corporate change in 2026. It states that FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 26, 2026, and that on April 30, 2026, FAT Brands announced the sale of Elevation Burger to TabCo International Food Catering K.S.C.C. for $2.5 million. The same material says the buyer intended to expand the brand in the Middle East. These events should be checked against current bankruptcy documents, transaction announcements, and operating-location information because they are later than much of the established public history. The reference material identifies Elevation Burger as having 25 locations across the United States, Kuwait, and Qatar, but a current location count and exact ownership structure remain subject to verification.
- 2026
Reported sale to TabCo International Food Catering
[1]The supplied reference material reports that Elevation Burger was sold by FAT Brands to TabCo International Food Catering K.S.C.C. for $2.5 million.
- 2020
COVID-19 operating restrictions
[1]Indoor dining was suspended or restricted, shifting operations toward takeaway, pickup, and drive-through service.
- 2019
Acquired by FAT Brands
[2]FAT Brands acquired Elevation Burger in a transaction reported at $10 million.
- 2009
Fake social-media profile suspended
[1]A profile impersonating Elevation Burger and promoting a rival was discovered and later suspended after legal intervention.
- 2008
Franchising begins
[1]Elevation Burger began expanding through franchising with assistance from Fransmart.
- 2005
First restaurant opens in Falls Church
[1]The first Elevation Burger restaurant opened in September in Falls Church, Virginia.
- 2002
Organic fast-casual concept conceived
[1]Founder Hans Hess developed the idea for an organic fast-casual burger restaurant.
Products and positioning
A health-conscious and sustainability-oriented fast-casual burger chain emphasizing organic, grass-fed beef, made-to-order food, and environmentally responsible restaurant design.
Hamburgers · 2005
Organic beef burgers
Elevation Burger's signature non-vegetarian offering is built around USDA-certified organic beef sourced from grass-fed, free-range cattle. The burgers anchor the brand's positioning as an alternative to conventional fast food, combining made-to-order restaurant service with an ingredient story focused on organic certification and livestock practices.
Plant-based and vegetarian food
Vegetarian burgers
Vegetarian burger choices extend the menu beyond beef and support the chain's appeal to health-conscious and flexitarian customers. The reference material confirms the presence of vegetarian offerings but does not specify a complete current recipe portfolio or product-by-product launch history.
Side dishes
French fries and sides
Fries and other side dishes accompany the burger menu in the chain's fast-casual format. Available varieties, preparation methods, and current market-specific menus are not fully documented in the supplied sources.
Beverages
Restaurant beverages
Elevation Burger restaurants serve beverages alongside burgers and sides. The supplied material does not provide a definitive current beverage list or identify proprietary beverage products.
Brand decisions
2026
Reported sale to TabCo International Food CateringM&ABackground
The supplied reference material places the transaction after FAT Brands entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
Action taken
FAT Brands reportedly announced the sale of Elevation Burger to TabCo International Food Catering K.S.C.C. for $2.5 million.
Aftermath
The reported buyer planned further expansion of Elevation Burger in the Middle East.
Reported sale price. $2.5 million (2026)
2020
Shift to off-premises service during the pandemicOtherBackground
Public-health restrictions in March 2020 closed or limited indoor restaurant dining.
Action taken
Restaurants relied on takeaway, pickup, and drive-through service while dine-in operations were unavailable or constrained.
Aftermath
The change reflected a broader industry-wide shift toward off-premises ordering during the COVID-19 disruption.
2019
Acquisition by FAT BrandsM&ABackground
Elevation Burger had developed as a specialty organic-burger chain with franchised locations in the United States and an emerging international presence.
Action taken
FAT Brands acquired the brand in a transaction reported by Nations Restaurant News at $10 million.
Aftermath
Elevation Burger became part of FAT Brands' multi-brand restaurant portfolio.
Reported acquisition price. $10 million (2019)
2008
Move from a single restaurant to franchisingStrategyBackground
After establishing its first restaurant in Falls Church, Elevation Burger sought a scalable route into additional U.S. markets.
Action taken
The company began franchising in spring 2008 and worked with Fransmart to support franchise development.
Aftermath
The company announced expansion plans across multiple U.S. markets, although some later locations, including those in Florida, Michigan, and Texas, closed.
Sources2 sources
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