What Fatburger does

Fatburger is a fast-casual burger restaurant chain operating under the trademark 'The Last Great Hamburger Stand.' Founded in 1947/1952 by Lovie Yancey and headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, the brand is owned by publicly traded FAT Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: FATB), which franchises more than 2,200-2,300 units globally across 18 restaurant brands. Fatburger's core product is hand-pressed, never-frozen 100% pure lean beef patties grilled to order, ranging from a 1/3 lb. Original to a 1.5 lb. Triple Kingburger, complemented by scratch-made onion rings, homemade chili, hand-scooped milkshakes, and (since 2018) the plant-based Impossible Burger and (since 2019) Craig's Vegan dairy-free shakes. The menu also features a newer smashed-pattty Flatburger (2026) and, at co-branded locations, Buffalo's Express wings and Hot Dog on a Stick items.

The underlying operational technology is conventional: grill-based food preparation, API integrations with major third-party delivery aggregators (DoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubHub, Postmates, Seamless), a direct online ordering platform (order.fatburger.com), a mobile app, a digital loyalty program ('The Fat Club'), and a fundraising platform. Proprietary intellectual property consists of the Fatburger wordmark and logo, the 'The Last Great Hamburger Stand' tagline, and the trade-secret-protected original burger recipe. The brand differentiates on made-to-order freshness, signature large patty sizes, dietary inclusivity, and a tri-branded co-location model with Buffalo's Express and Hot Dog on a Stick that allows multiple revenue streams under a single restaurant footprint.

Fatburger's business model is franchise-system-driven. FAT Brands signs multi-unit development agreements with regional operators (e.g., Whole Factor Inc. for 40 Florida units, Big M CIE for 30 France units, Green Micro Factory for 4 Okinawa units) and earns franchise fees and ongoing royalties. End-customer revenue accrues to franchisees through dine-in, drive-thru, takeout, direct online ordering, third-party delivery, catering, and event-based food-truck service, with individual franchisees setting menu pricing by market. Fatburger operates in 12+ countries across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The parent company FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2026 with over $1 billion in debt, resulting in at least three San Antonio location closures and creating material financial risk across the franchise system despite continued unit openings.

Name

Fatburger

Legal name

Fatburger

Website

https://fatburger.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Fatburger is a fast-casual burger chain founded in 1947/1952 by Lovie Yancey, owned by FAT Brands Inc., franchising hand-pressed never-frozen beef burgers and plant-based options to consumers in 12+ countries through dine-in, delivery, and co-branded locations with Buffalo's Express and Hot Dog on a Stick.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fast-casual burger restaurants

NAICS

Limited-Service Restaurants (722513), Mobile Food Services (72233), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Burger Fast Casual (THAFABAA)

Keywords

• Fast-casual burgers
• Hamburger restaurant chain
• Plant-based burgers
• Franchise restaurant
• Catering food service

Headquarters

HQ city

Beverly Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Franchise fees and royalties: Fatburger is owned by FAT Brands Inc., a franchising company. Fatburger generates revenue for FAT Brands through franchise fees (initial development agreements) and ongoing royalty payments from franchise operators. Individual franchisees (e.g., Whole Factor Inc.) pay to open and operate Fatburger locations under multi-unit development agreements.
2. Direct restaurant sales (franchisee level): Individual Fatburger franchise locations generate revenue through walk-in dine-in, drive-thru, online ordering (direct via Fatburger's website/app), and third-party delivery orders. These are franchisee-level revenues that flow up partially as royalties to FAT Brands/Fatburger.
3. National promotions and co-marketing: Fatburger runs periodic national promotions (e.g., World Vegan Month with Impossible Foods) that drive incremental sales across all domestic locations. These promotions also serve as co-marketing partnerships, potentially including promotional fee arrangements with brand partners.
4. Catering and events: Fatburger offers catering services through its food truck and catering tent/grill operations, targeting corporate and private events. Revenue is generated per-event through bulk menu orders.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fatburger operates a fast-casual hamburger restaurant chain selling hand-pressed, never-frozen 100% pure lean beef burgers in sizes from 1/3 lb. to 1.5 lb., alongside plant-based options (Impossible Burger, Craig's Vegan shakes), hand-scooped milkshakes, scratch-made sides (Fat Fries, onion rings, homemade chili), chicken sandwiches, wings, kids' meals, and catering/event services. Sales occur primarily through franchise-operated restaurants with dine-in, drive-thru, takeout, direct online ordering, third-party delivery, and off-site catering and food-truck service.

Product overview

Fatburger is a fast-casual burger restaurant chain founded in 1952 by Lovie Yancey, operating under the tagline 'The Last Great Hamburger Stand.' The company's core product is its signature Fatburger — hand-pressed, never frozen beef patties available in multiple sizes (1/3 lb. Original, 1/2 lb. Kingburger, 1 lb. Double Kingburger, and 1.5 lb. Triple Kingburger). The menu also includes the newer Flatburger (smashed patty style), Classic Sandwiches, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and plant-based options including the Impossible Burger (available since 2018 as the first national fast-casual chain to carry it) and Craig's Vegan Shakes made with Daiya dairy-free cheese. Side offerings include Fat Fries, scratch-made onion rings, and homemade chili. Fatburger operates co-branded locations featuring Buffalo's Express wings and Hot Dog on a Stick. The company also offers catering services including food trucks and tents/grills, a loyalty program (Fat Club), and a fundraising program. Fatburger is owned by FAT Brands Inc. and franchises over 2,200 units globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Original Fatburger (1/3 lb.) The signature single 1/3 lb. hand-pressed, never-frozen 100% pure lean beef patty, fresh ground and grilled to order on a toasted sponge-dough bun. Customizable with 'The Works' toppings (Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Mayo, Mustard, Pickles, Relish) or fresh add-ons. For individual diners seeking a classic fast-casual burger.
• Kingburger (1/2 lb.) Large 1/2 lb. hand-pressed, never-frozen 100% pure lean beef patty, fresh ground and grilled to order on a toasted sponge-dough bun. The flagship burger that made Fatburger famous. Customizable with 'The Works' or fresh add-ons. For individual diners who want a larger signature portion.
• Double Kingburger (1 lb.) Two 1/2 lb. hand-pressed patties totaling 1 lb. of 100% pure lean beef, fresh ground and grilled to perfection on a toasted sponge-dough bun. Customizable with 'The Works' or fresh add-ons. For individual diners wanting an extra-large portion.
• Triple Kingburger (1.5 lb.) Three 1/2 lb. hand-pressed patties totaling 1.5 lbs. of 100% pure lean beef, fresh ground and grilled to order on a toasted sponge-dough bun. The featured, oversized signature item. Customizable with 'The Works' or fresh add-ons.
• Flatburger Two patties smashed on the grill, topped with American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and Fatburger sauce. A new smashed-style burger offering at Fatburger.
• Impossible Burger Plant-based burger made with an Impossible Burger patty, available at all domestic US locations. Can be ordered with traditional toppings or fully customized plant-based with Daiya Dairy-Free Cheese and no mayonnaise. Targets vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarian diners.
• Turkeyburger and Veggie Burger (catering options)

Quantifiable outcome

• First national fast-casual chain to carry Impossible Burger (2018)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Whole Factor Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 May 2026Whole Factor Inc. is a franchisee operating Fatburger locations in Florida under a 40-unit multi-year development agreement. Whole Factor Inc. opened Fatburger's fourth Florida location in Rockledge in May 2026 and is the primary driver of Fatburger's East Coast expansion in Florida.
• Big M CIE GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 March 2026The Big M CIE Group is Fatburger's franchise partner for France. FAT Brands opened its first French Fatburger location in Rosny-sous-Bois, Paris in March 2026, as the first of 30 planned locations across France. Two additional restaurants are slated to open later in 2026 in northern and southern France.
• Green Micro Factory Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 December 2025Green Micro Factory Inc. is Fatburger's franchise partner for Japan, operating the brand's return to the Japanese market after an absence. Fatburger's first Okinawa, Japan location opened in December 2025, the first of four planned locations across Okinawa. The COO of FAT Brands described this as a significant milestone for international footprint expansion.
• Craig's VegansecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Craig's Vegan was founded in 2019 as a LA-based plant-based ice cream brand. Fatburger partnered with Craig's Vegan to offer dairy-free milkshakes (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Maui Banana) made with premium cashews, oat milk, and coconut-milk-based dairy-free whipped cream at all domestic Fatburger locations. The partnership extends Fatburger's plant-based menu to include dessert options.
• Impossible FoodscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Fatburger partnered with Impossible Foods in 2018, becoming the first national fast-casual chain to carry the Impossible Burger at all domestic US Fatburger locations. The partnership was renewed in November 2025 for a World Vegan Month promotion featuring buy-one-get-one-free Impossible Burgers and interactive social challenges. The Impossible Burger provides Fatburger with a plant-based menu option, expanding its addressable market to vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians.
• Daiya FoodssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerFatburger partnered with Daiya Foods to offer Daiya Dairy-Free Cheddar Cheese slices as a plant-based cheese option at all domestic US locations. This addresses the growing demand for dairy-free cheese among flexitarian and vegan customers, complementing the Impossible Burger and Craig's Vegan shake offerings.
• Buffalo's Express (Buffalo's Cafe)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBuffalo's Cafe, founded in 1985, is a wing chain known for medium-sized wings in 13 house-made sauces. Fatburger co-brands with Buffalo's Express at select locations, allowing both brands to share a single restaurant footprint. The partnership enables franchisees to serve both burgers and wings, expanding the menu and customer base without additional real estate. Five tri-branded units have been opened as of April 2026.
• Hot Dog on a SticksecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHot Dog on a Stick, founded in 1946 in Santa Monica by Dave Barham, is a beach and mall-based fast-food chain known for its signature corn dog on a stick. Fatburger co-brands with Hot Dog on a Stick at select locations (including Valley Village, CA), sharing the same restaurant footprint. The co-branding model was first announced at the Valley Village location with more co-branded locations planned.
• DoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubHub, Postmates, SeamlesssecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFatburger integrates with all major third-party food delivery platforms (DoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubHub, Postmates, Seamless) for online ordering. Information submitted via these delivery partners is collected and processed by their respective platforms per their privacy policies. These partnerships extend Fatburger's reach to delivery-preferring consumers.
• ABILITY (digital accessibility)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFatburger has engaged ABILITY, a national digital accessibility consulting firm, to audit and certify its website for WCAG 2.1 A and AA conformance. ABILITY conducts multiple rounds of auditing, screen-reader testing, keyboard navigability testing, and automated scanning. ABILITY will recertify the platform at regular intervals throughout the year.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Five Guys: Five Guys is the most direct fast-casual burger peer to Fatburger, operating a similarly hand-prepared, customizable, fresh-beef menu in a counter-service format with strong US and international franchising. Both compete for the same premium-burger consumer and the same franchisee investor pool.
• Shake Shack: Shake Shack is a publicly traded fast-casual burger and shake chain with a comparable made-to-order, premium-ingredient positioning, broad delivery/loyalty infrastructure, and a co-branding playbook (e.g., chicken concepts) similar in spirit to Fatburger's multi-brand footprint.
• Smashburger: Smashburger is a direct competitor in the premium fast-casual burger category with a similar menu architecture (smash-cooked beef patties, customizable toppings, hand-spun shakes) and a primarily franchised operating model competing for overlapping mall and street-frontage real estate.
• The Habit Burger Grill: The Habit is a California-born fast-casual charburger chain with an overlapping premium-beef, made-to-order, scratch-made accompaniments value proposition and a multi-unit franchise footprint that competes head-to-head with Fatburger in the western US.
• Johnny Rockets: Johnny Rockets is a direct fast-casual burger-and-shakes peer that was previously owned alongside Fatburger by the same parent group, shares the same franchisee audience, and competes in the same casual-dining-with-retro-heritage positioning.
• Red Robin: Red Robin is a casual-dining burger chain with a broadly comparable gourmet-burger, bottomless-fries, and shake menu targeting families and groups, and a US-wide footprint that overlaps with Fatburger's dine-in trade areas.

Broad incumbents

• Wendy's: Wendy's is a large incumbent QSR burger chain whose square-patties, made-to-order positioning and breakfast-daypart expansion directly overlap with Fatburger's value proposition, but at vastly greater scale, marketing budget, and real-estate footprint.
• Carl's Jr. / Hardee's: Carl's Jr. and Hardee's are broad fast-food burger incumbents with premium 'star' burgers, plant-based options, and large-scale franchise operations that compete with Fatburger for value-oriented burger consumers in overlapping US geographies.
• McDonald's: McDonald's is the dominant global QSR incumbent; it competes with Fatburger across price, convenience, plant-based menu (McPlant), and digital/loyalty, and sets the baseline of scale and unit-economics that any burger franchise concept must beat.

Emerging players

• Wayback Burgers: Wayback Burgers is an emerging fast-casual burger franchise with a comparable hand-prepared patty menu, milkshakes, and aggressive multi-unit franchise development model that competes for the same franchisee capital and suburban real estate as Fatburger.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fatburger
• Instagraminstagram.com/fatburger
• TikToktiktok.com/@fatburger
• Xx.com/fatburger
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fatburger-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fatburger