Killer Burger
Killer Burger LLC is a Portland, Oregon-based franchise-led better-burger restaurant chain operating 28+ locations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Texas, serving individual consumers, families, sports fans, and franchise partners with bold layered burgers, craft beer, and catering under a signature Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon brand.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Killer Burger does
Killer Burger LLC is a Portland, Oregon-based better-burger restaurant chain founded in September 2010, operating a franchise-led model across 28+ locations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Texas. The core product is bold, layered burgers built on 100% natural beef with bacon on every burger, including the signature Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon burger alongside a roster of named recipes (Bender, Jose Mendoza, Mötley Qüe, Fun Guy, Teemah, Meathead, Purist), offered in Pint, Original, and Double sizes, complemented by craft beer, chicken sandwiches, sides, and catering (Killer Box of 10 mix-and-match pint burgers). The company serves individual consumers, families, sports/event attendees at stadium concessions (Moda Center, Providence Park), and franchise partners seeking multi-unit development opportunities; franchise applicants must have 5+ years of restaurant leadership experience and meet $1-10M+ net worth thresholds.
Revenue mechanics combine direct restaurant food and beverage sales, franchise fees and royalties from multi-unit operators, gift cards and branded merchandise, and catering transactions. Pricing is unit-based ($10.45 Smasher combo, $11 box lunch, Killer Box catering) with pay-as-you-go billing and no publicly disclosed enterprise pricing. Distribution combines dine-in, takeout, a proprietary online ordering platform, third-party delivery, and stadium concession stands. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight: an online ordering platform, kitchen technology targeting sub-10-minute order times, a Paytronix-powered loyalty program (Killer Rewards 2.0, with mobile app on iOS and Android and stacked rewards as of January 2026), and a Sysco national distribution partnership enabling supply chain consistency across franchise units.
The business is pursuing a franchise-led expansion strategy prioritizing operational consistency and supply chain infrastructure over menu localization. Target growth markets are Austin, Boise, Idaho, and Corvallis, with stated ambition west of the Mississippi River excluding California. The company is privately held, received an undisclosed private equity investment in August 2021, appointed franchise veteran Jean Grossman to its Board of Directors in October 2025, and remains in active growth mode with no public listing.
Killer Burger firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Killer Burger
- Legal name
- Killer Burger LLC
- Website
- https://killerburger.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Killer Burger LLC is a Portland, Oregon-based franchise-led better-burger restaurant chain operating 28+ locations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Texas, serving individual consumers, families, sports fans, and franchise partners with bold layered burgers, craft beer, and catering under a signature Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon brand.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Killer Burger industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Better-Burger Restaurant Chain
- NAICS
- Limited-Service Restaurants (722513)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating Places (5812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Burger Fast Casual (THAFABAA)
Keywords
Where Killer Burger is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices29 records
Markets served
Killer Burger business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Restaurant food and beverage sales: Direct restaurant sales of signature burgers, chicken sandwiches, sides, and craft beers across 28+ locations
- Franchise fees and royalties: Revenue from franchise partners who operate Killer Burger locations. Franchise partners require 5 years restaurant experience, team leadership, and capital/net worth requirements of $1-10+ million
- Gift cards and merchandise: Sale of gift cards and merchandise including hats, hoodies, and apparel
- Catering services: Catering orders including Killer Box with 10 mix-and-match pint burgers for events and parties
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smasher combo - small flavor small price |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | $11 box lunch |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Catering Killer Box |
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Killer Burger product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Killer Burger operates a chain of better-burger restaurants serving bold, layered burgers built on 100% natural beef seared to perfection with bacon on every burger, accompanied by craft beer on tap, fries, sides, and chicken sandwiches. The brand operates 28+ dine-in and takeout locations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Texas, complemented by online ordering, Killer Box catering, a mobile-based loyalty rewards program, gift cards, and a franchise program for multi-unit operators.
Product overview
Killer Burger is a Portland, Oregon-based better-burger restaurant chain founded in September 2010, operating on a franchise-led expansion model with 28+ locations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Texas. The core offering centers on bold, layered burgers featuring 100% natural beef and quality ingredients with bacon on every burger, complemented by local craft beers, sides, and chicken sandwiches. The product portfolio includes the flagship restaurant concept, Killer Box catering service for events, the Killer Rewards loyalty program with mystery box incentives, gift cards and merchandise, franchise partnership opportunities, and Killer Fundraising Nights for community organizations. The brand's signature item is the Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon burger, with other notable offerings including the Classic, Bender, Jose Mendoza, Mötley Qüe, Fun Guy, Teemah, Meathead, and Purist burgers available in Pint, Original, and Double sizes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Killer Burger Restaurant Better-burger restaurant chain offering bold, layered burgers made with 100% natural beef and bacon on every burger, complemented by craft beers on tap, fries, sides, and chicken sandwiches. Serves consumers in the Pacific Northwest and Texas seeking a quality casual dining experience with signature recipes including Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon, Classic, Bender, Jose Mendoza, Mötley Qüe, Fun Guy, Teemah, Meathead, and Purist in Pint, Original, and Double sizes.
- Killer Box Catering Catering service offering party boxes of 10 mix-and-match pint burgers including Classic, Purist, Bender, and Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon varieties. Designed for corporate events, parties, and group gatherings with online ordering and a minimum 2-hour advance notice for pickup or delivery at most locations.
- Killer Rewards Loyalty Program (REWARDS 2.0) Loyalty program with Mystery Box rewards unlocked on every $12+ purchase, free fries on sign-up, free birthday dessert, and member-exclusive promotions including Double Points Days and BOGO offers. Accessible via mobile app on iOS and Android and online account, powered by Paytronix.
- Killer Burger Franchise Program Franchise offering for experienced multi-unit restaurant operators with 5+ years experience leading teams of 5 or more. Targets Pacific Northwest and Texas markets with plans to expand west of the Mississippi excluding California. Minimum net worth and liquid asset thresholds apply, and franchisees receive brand recognition, operational support, and supply chain infrastructure via Sysco national distribution.
- Killer Burger Gift Cards and Merchandise Digital and physical gift cards redeemable for online orders and in-restaurant purchases, plus Killer Merchandise including hats, hoodies, and branded apparel items available for purchase.
- Killer Burger Mobile App Native mobile applications for iOS and Android that enable online ordering, Killer Rewards loyalty program enrollment and tracking, Mystery Box redemption, and access to member-exclusive promotions at all Killer Burger locations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 8 consecutive Best Burger wins in Vancouver, WA (2018-2025)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Killer Burger
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Killer Burger technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Killer Burger partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SyscocoreNational distribution partnership with Sysco for supply chain infrastructure supporting the franchise expansion strategy. This partnership enables operational consistency across locations and supports the company's 'no shortcuts' approach to quality ingredients.
- Franchise PartnerscoreMultiple franchise partners operating Killer Burger locations including LaMichael James (Lake Oswego, Cedar Hills, Oakway Eugene), JP and Stephanie Perfili (Wilsonville, West Linn, Sellwood), Nate Barile (Hazel Dell, East Vancouver, Orchards), Dave Edwards (Gresham, Salem, Bend), Wes and Coral Walterman (Spokane Valley, Hayden), TJ Southard (San Antonio Brooks and Potranco), and others.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Killer Burger competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Five Guys: Five Guys is a better-burger fast-casual chain emphasizing customizable burgers and fresh ingredients with a similar franchise-led growth model and price point, making it the most direct competitor to Killer Burger's concept.
- Shake Shack: Shake Shack is a publicly-traded better-burger fast-casual chain competing in the same premium-burger, urban/suburban dining segment with a similar menu emphasis on signature burgers and craft beverages.
- Smashburger: Smashburger is a fast-casual better-burger chain with a franchise-driven expansion model and signature smashed-patty burgers, directly comparable in category, model, and customer to Killer Burger.
- The Habit Burger Grill: The Habit is a California-based better-burger fast-casual chain with char-grilled signature burgers, positioning directly comparable to Killer Burger's PNW better-burger proposition and franchise growth strategy.
- Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Freddy's is a fast-casual steakburger chain with aggressive franchise expansion across the Midwest and South, competing in the same value-better-burger segment with similar combo-led menus.
Broad incumbents
- Culver's: Culver's is a large Midwest-based fast-casual chain known for ButterBurgers and frozen custard, operating a similar franchise-led model at a much larger scale than Killer Burger in adjacent geographies.
- In-N-Out Burger: In-N-Out is a large, established privately-held burger chain with a fiercely loyal regional customer base on the West Coast, representing the dominant incumbent Killer Burger competes against in the Pacific Northwest.
- Whataburger: Whataburger is a large regional burger chain with strong brand loyalty in Texas, the exact market Killer Burger is now expanding into, making it the key incumbent competitor in the company's newest growth territory.
Emerging players
- BurgerFi: BurgerFi is a publicly-traded better-burger fast-casual chain with a franchise growth strategy, operating at a similar scale and concept tier as Killer Burger in the premium-burger category.
Regional players
- Burgerville: Burgerville is a Pacific Northwest-based regional better-burger chain with deep Oregon/Washington roots, directly competing with Killer Burger in the same home geography with a similar local-craft positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Killer Burger social profiles
Digital presenceKiller Burger financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Killer Burger leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Killer Burger funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Killer Burger M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Killer Burger
What does Killer Burger do?
Killer Burger operates a chain of better-burger restaurants serving bold, layered burgers built on 100% natural beef seared to perfection with bacon on every burger, accompanied by craft beer on tap, fries, sides, and chicken sandwiches. The brand operates 28+ dine-in and takeout locations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Texas, complemented by online ordering, Killer Box catering, a mobile-based loyalty rewards program, gift cards, and a franchise program for multi-unit operators.
Is Killer Burger a public or private company?
Killer Burger is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Killer Burger founded?
Killer Burger was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Killer Burger based?
Killer Burger is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Killer Burger make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Restaurant food and beverage sales are the primary driver. The others are franchise fees and royalties, gift cards and merchandise and catering services.
Who are Killer Burger's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Five Guys, Shake Shack, Smashburger, The Habit Burger Grill and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Broad incumbents are Culver's, In-N-Out Burger and Whataburger. BurgerFi is listed as an emerging player. Burgerville is listed as a regional player.
Does Killer Burger have an API?
No public API is recorded for Killer Burger.
What industry is Killer Burger in?
Killer Burger's product category is Better-Burger Restaurant Chain. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFABAA, Burger Fast Casual. Its NAICS code is 722513 and its SIC code is 5812.