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HWN Suggests

Bye-bye, burgers: New fast-food chains bet on healthy eating

Some of the fastest-growing fast-food chains aren't slinging artery-clogging cheeseburgers or cooking up calorie-packed fried chicken. Instead, diners can order Brussels sprouts salads and kale smoothies, served with the same speed as In-N-Out or Burger King.

America's interest in locally sourced and healthy foods has spurred a boom in farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants and has expanded organic produce at the supermarket. Now, a number of upstart chains trying to tap that interest are taking aim at traditional fast food by moving leafy greens and fruits to the center of the plate.

These rapidly expanding restaurants want…

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Articles of Interest

Freedom from Fries

Can fast food be good for you?

Healthy Chains: The Freshest Fast-Food Spots

Eating on the go used to mean settling for a guilt-inducing burger and a mess of greasy fries. But now, savvy entrepreneurs are zeroing in on consumers' desire to eat healthy, affordable food on the run.

The Fast Food Restaurants You Should Be Watching...

We’d like to talk about the up-and-comers and the rapid expanders. Which of these chains is Ray Kroc circa 1955, poised to change the fast food conversation for good? Some of them are new, with the earth-moving ambition of Silicon Valley startups, while others have modestly done their thing for decades—but recently hit their stride. We’ve got some chains that embrace sustainable sourcing, others that focus on healthfulness, and still others that just want to make a better burger.

The Founders of Sweetgreen are Building a Farm-to-Counter Empire, One Bowl at a Time

How to turn a collection of cult-status salad joints into a national fast-food chain? First you have to fix the supply chain.

Resources

Healthy Eater

Ever wanted to sort your life out? To eat better and feel better? Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? You are not alone. Changing the way you eat is hard.

Lyfe Kitchen

Great food can do amazing things. It can make you feel better. It can support local farms. Promote sustainability. Reward environmentally sound businesses. Give back to the community. And, best of all, it will make you savor every single bite.

Simply Salad

Simply Salad is a healthy alternative to fast food.

SweetGreen

Founded in 2007, sweetgreen is a destination for delicious food that’s both healthy for you and aligned with your values. We source local and organic ingredients from farmers we know and partners we trust, supporting our communities and creating meaningful relationships with those around us. We exist to create experiences where passion and purpose come together.

Tender Greens

Tender Greens offers farm-to-fork, organic classics along with chef driven daily specials highlighting the best of seasonal ingredients, local farms and artisans. We believe that everyone should have access to healthy, high-quality food at an affordable price

Veggie Grill

Veggie Grill, headquartered in Santa Monica, California, is a premium fast-casual restaurant chain that features a satisfying and energizing variety of hot sandwiches and burgers, entree salads, bowls, home-style plates, shareable sides, organic teas and house made desserts prepared with hearty, plant-based proteins and fresh, wholesome ingredients.