This fall, vegan burger chain Neat Burger will open its first United States location in Manhattan in New York City. Founded in 2019 with help from world champion race car driver Lewis Hamilton, the shop serves typical fast-food fare made vegan, including plant-based cheese burgers, chicken burgers, hot dogs, tater tots, ice cream, and milkshakes, along with kids meals. The opening will come after a pop-up in midtown Manhattan this month which will introduce New Yorkers to the United Kingdom-based brand Neat Food Co (NEAT)which encompasses both the burger concept and a retail brand that will also expand stateside.

Neat Burger

NEAT is embarking on its expansion to the US with key hires who will help the vegan burger chain and plant-based meat business get its foothold stateside. At the helm of this expansion is Vincent Herbert, the former CEO of Le Pain Quotidien, who joins the brand as Chief Executive of Neat Burger USA. Additionally, Jeffrey S. Fried (former Chairman of Sweetgreen) and Henrik Fjordbak (former COO at Joe & The Juice) join the brands advisory board to propel it forward in achieving its earth-saving mission.

We are on a mission to fundamentally change how the world consumes protein and are excited to announce these new appointments whose expertise will make a real impact, Zack Bishti, co-founder and CEO of Neat Burger, said in a statement. With Jeff and Henriks success in nurturing industry-leading brands, and Vincents prowess in delivering global expansion, we have a powerhouse team primed for explosive entry into new markets; to shift consumer behavior and be a force for good.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton went vegan in 2017 and uses his immense fame to promote animal-rights and social justice issues, often taking to social media to urge fans to go vegan. Hamilton also puts his money where his mouth is by investing in vegan businesses, including The Not Companya Chilean vegan startup that raised $235 million in funding last year with help from Hamilton and musical artist Questlove.

In 2019, Hamiltons investment in NEATcreated in collaboration with hospitality group The Cream Group and Beyond Meat investor Tommaso Chiabaraprovided the company with key funding to get it off the ground.Neat Burger opened its flagship location in Central London in 2019 before expanding to second and third locations in the Camden and Soho neighborhoods, respectively. The brand grew quickly and last year, after securing an additional $7 million in a funding round led by SoftBanks Rajeev Misra, announced massive expansion plans that bring more locations to its domestic marketincluding through 20 ghost kitchensand take it global, starting with the US.

Neat Burger

By 2030, NEAT plans to expand to 1,000 corporately owned, franchise, and dark kitchens. It is also working to bring next-level plant-based meat alternatives made with wholesome ingredientssuch as its grain mix of quinoa, chickpea, and mung beansto the retail sector.

By 2040 we see a world where alternative proteins have replaced animal proteins completely, Chiabra said in a statement. NEAT is leading the charge in the development of these alternatives that not only satisfy the needs of conscious consumers, but that also deliver on flavor. Were here to prove that the easiest choice can also be the best choice for the planet.

Neat Burgers expansion to the US comes at a time when homegrown vegan fast-food chains begin their own expansions to serve an increasing demand for plant-based foodsa market that a recent artificial intelligence-driven report by Tastewise estimated to be worth $74 billion by 2027.

Vegan chain PLNT Burgerowned by celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef fameopened its first NYC location in the Union Square neighborhood earlier this year and expanded to Boston this week. Canadas Odd Burgerthe first publicly traded vegan fast-food chainis also eyeing an NYC location with plans to operate 50 North American locations by 2029.

Plant Power Fast Food

On the West Coast, San Diegos Plant Power Fast Food is expanding up the coast with new locations in Los Angeles, Fountain Valley, and Sacramento, along with its first out-of-state location in Las Vegas, NV. Oregons organic vegan fast-food pioneer Next Level Burger is also in the midst of a multi-state expansion, with a Denver, CO opening planned this summer.

And traditional fast-food giants are not sitting idly by, with McDonalds working with Beyond Meat to develop plant-based options globally through its McPlant platform; Burger King testing meatless pop-up locations in Europe; and KFC launching vegan chicken in multiple countries.

For more about vegan fast food, read: Burger King Is First Major Fast-food Chain To Serve Vegan Impossible Nuggets Fatburgers CEO on the Future of Vegan Fast Food Vegan Fast-Food Chains Spread Nationwide. Can McDonalds Keep Up?

Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.

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Lewis Hamilton's Neat Burger Expands to US with Fast-Food Shops and Vegan Meats - VegNews