The Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast brought to you by Custom Business Solutions Veggie Grill Founder T.K. Pillan talks growth of the country's largest plant-based restaurant brand
Join Jeremy and Founder of Veggie Grill T.K Pillan where they talk about the shift from technology startup to becoming the largest plant-based chain in the country.
In 2006, investor partners T.K. Pillan and Kevin Boylan began looking for the next big restaurant idea. Around the same time, the duo were personally experiencing the tremendous health benefits of a plant-based diet and were becoming more informed about the inhumane and unsustainable factory farming methods used to produce meat and dairy products. So, driven to take a stand and change American food culture for the better, the two teamed up with culinary expert Ray White to start Veggie Grill, a vegan restaurant based in Irvine, California. Today, as the largest plant-based QSR restaurant chain with 35 restaurants and 700+ team members across the country, Veggie Grill has empowered millions of customers to not only try vegan food, but to crave it. While all locations have been strictly corporate-owned up until now, the Veggie Grill brand is officially launching its franchise opportunity and giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to join the runaway leader in the exciting plant-based movement. Since being founded in 2006, Veggie Grill has expanded to include locations in California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York City.
After years of widespread adoption, plant-based foods are expected to continue comprising a bigger share of menus, growing from a $29.4 billion market in 2020 to more than $162 billion in 2030, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Legacy players in the QSR industry are also starting to take notice, with franchise brands like KFC, McDonald’s and Burger King following the lead of brands like Veggie Grill by rolling out plant-based options.
In addition to catering to consumer demand for healthier options, Veggie Grill also aligns with the urgent trend towards adopting more environmentally friendly meal options. According to a study by the Good Food Institute, plant-based meat both emits 30% to 90% less greenhouse gas and causes 51% to 91% less aquatic nutrient pollution than conventional meat.
The Veggie Grill menu includes soups, salads, bowls, sandwiches, burgers and desserts — all made using 100% vegan, plant-based products. Thanks to its position as an innovative leader in the vegan quick-service restaurant industry, Veggie Grill also has exclusive access to the latest and greatest in plant proteins and made-from-scratch culinary inspirations and works closely with industry leading suppliers.