Lewis Hamilton’s Vegan Neat Burgers Boost US Expansion With $18 Million Raise

A new vegan fast-food spot in every major city supported by your favorite athlete? That fantasy may soon become a reality as this week, vegan chain Neat Burgers announced that it has raised an additional $18 million from new and existing investors, including Formula One race car champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton’s investment in Neat Burger in 2019, which was created in collaboration with hospitality group The Cream Group and entrepreneurs Tommaso Chiabara and Jack Bishti, provided the company with the funding it needed to get it off the ground.

Its flagship location opened in central London in 2019 before expanding to a second and third location in the Camden and Soho neighborhoods respectively. In addition to the new Nolita location, the chain now has eight locations in the UK and one in Dubai.

The chain began in the UK, where it opened its flagship central London location in 2019 before expanding to the Camden and Soho neighbourhoods. It now operates 10 locations in the UK, US and Dubai.

Benslater and Emma Farrow

On the menu, customers will find all-American fast-food favorites made the vegan way with a homemade patty made from mung beans, quinoa and chickpeas. In addition to burgers, there are savory chicken sandwiches, hearty sides (think loaded fries), and milkshakes topped with vegan whipped cream.

The idea behind the neat burger? Turn “cheat” days into “clean” days by indulging in good-for-you vegan fast food. And the idea seems to be resonating.

In the first quarter of this year, Neat Burger saw a 20-percent increase in London locations, making it the perfect time to revisit its expansion plans.

Neat burger

“We are thrilled to have reached this major milestone in Neat Burger’s journey with an impressive group of new investors as well as a successful fundraising from previous investors,” Chiabara said in a statement.

“This is an important moment for our business, and it allows us to accelerate our growth plans,” he said.

The neat burger lands in the US

In April, Neat Burger opened its first U.S. location in New York City’s Nolita neighborhood as an anchor of the region’s thriving vegetarian food scene. Here, there are UK favorites such as Bodega Classic Chopped Cheese, Patty Melts and Buffalo Chicken Tenders, along with items created specifically for NYC celebrations.

“We see New York as the taste-defining gateway to the US and by all metrics this is our most successful launch to date,” Bishti, CEO of Neat Burger, said in a statement. “New Yorkers have good taste and strong opinions, and we’re thrilled to see customers keep coming back.”

This NYC-centric menu will make its way across the pond to Neat Burger’s London locations starting this month, adding new choices alongside more health-focused options.

“We are at the heart of the growth of plant-based foods and our proximity to the voice of the customer sets us apart,” Bishti said. “In response to the growing demand for clean ingredients, we’ve incorporated healthier options into the New York menu, while continuing to serve food to our growing community that is as sustainable as it is delicious.”

Neat burger

And with new funding and a strong start in NYC, it’s time for Neat Burger to expand to other major cities.

“With the successful launch of our New York location and a record first quarter under our belt, we have demonstrated the strength of our brand and are now well-positioned to bring our award-winning plant-based foods to a growing number of consumers in the U.S. and globally who are seeking a healthier and adopting a more flexible lifestyle,” says Chiabara.

In addition to Hamilton, Nite Burger counts actor Leonardo DiCaprio as an existing investor and welcomed Real Madrid soccer star Thibaut Courtois and Portuguese model Sara Sampaio as investors in its Series B round, led by B-Flexion, a private institutional investment firm founded by businessman Ernesto messenger

By 2030, Neat Burger plans to open 1,000 restaurants and will use its Series B funding to expand across the US, Middle East and Italy.

Vegan fast food and sustainability

While offering healthy and ethical food to fast-food lovers everywhere is a top priority, another driver of Neat Burger’s expansion centers on sustainability.

Neat burger

Its stores have packaging that is biodegradable, compostable and made from plastic alternatives such as cornstarch and sugarcane. Neat Burger’s branding is about making the connection between how plant-based foods are more planet-friendly than their animal-produced counterparts, which a growing body of climate research continues to support.

These sustainability factors are important to Gen-Z consumers, the oldest of whom are now moving into their mid-20s.

Chiara Bertarelli, recent graduate of Harvard University and daughter of Ernesto Bertarelli, explains that she is joining the Neat Berger team as a sustainability advisor for this reason.

“I love how Neat Burger is on a mission to make plant-based foods more accessible to everyone,” Bertarelli said in a statement. “Our generation is paving the way and driving this change, with research showing that once Gen-Z adopts a vegan or flexible diet, 70 percent stick with it.”

“So, the point is that people try it and integrate it into their daily lives,” he said. “First impressions count and the neat burger approach, combined with fun and sustainability, has the potential to change the world.”