The plant-based fast-food chain won the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award for best fast-food chain, emphasizing a shift toward sustainable dining.
Next Level Burger (NLB), America’s first 100% plant-based burger joint chain, has triumphed as the best fast-food chain in the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards. This monumental win highlights consumers’ growing appetites for sustainable and healthy alternatives.
Courtesy of Stephanie Kelly
Beating the Big Names
NLB didn’t just win; it outshined traditional fast-food giants in the national contest. The top 10 lineup includes Whataburger, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s, Zaxby’s, In-and-Out Burger, Popeyes, Firehouse Subs, and Culver’s. As the only 100% plant-based brand nominated by Newsweek’s expert panel, NLB’s victory came from the people’s votes, proving a shift in consumer preferences.
A Message from the CEO
Matt de Gruyter, co-founder and CEO of NLB and Veggie Grill by Next Level, said, “The fact that our 10-unit vegan restaurant chain was able to beat out chains with thousands of units and global brand presence is an incredible honor. For us, the significance of this win is even deeper, as it shows that consumers are becoming more aware of the footprint of their food choices. This is the story of forward-thinking stewardship and sustainability—for ourselves, our planet, and the sentient beings we share it with. At NLB, we believe the future is bright, but that it’s up to all of us to make sure of it.”
Courtesy of Stephanie Kelly
Expanding the Plant-Based Movement
NLB and Veggie Grill by Next Level, with a combined 25 locations nationwide, form the largest wholly-owned plant-based restaurant group in the world. With plans for further expansion, they continue to lead the charge toward a more sustainable and compassionate future.
This win is not just a victory for NLB but a milestone for the plant-based movement, signaling a promising shift in how America eats and thinks about food.
For more information on NLB, visit NextLevelBurger.com.
