Industry Restaurants Website www.heroburgers.com | Number of locations over 55 Motto Real. Good. Founded November 2003 | |
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Key people John Lettieri, President and CEO, Christopher Weder Products Hamburgers, sandwiches, french fries, poutine and milkshakes Profiles | ||
Hero Certified Burgers is a quick service restaurant franchise chain that operates in Canada, with locations concentrated in Southern Ontario.
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History
The chain was founded in 2004 by John Lettieri, who opened the first store in Hazelton Lanes in Yorkville, Ontario. Lettieri also owns the restaurant chain Lettieri café, based in Toronto. The company was the first Canadian franchise to focus on the provision of fast foods using food products from vendors that adhere to sustainable practices.
The chain has over 55 locations in Ontario, as well as an upcoming location in Buffalo, New York. Hero Certified Burgers are partners of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, and the official burger of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Marlies.
Fare
Fare includes hamburgers and veggie burgers, poultry and wild Alaskan salmon sandwiches, poutine, Ontario-grown greenhouse tomatoes and gluten-free food options. Among the gluten-free options, gluten free buns can be purchased for burgers. The company uses french fries, but offers real cheese, such as gorgonzola, smoked provolone and brie.
Many Hero Certified Burgers locations have Coca-Cola Freestyle machines as well.
Environmental stewardship
Hero Certified Burgers uses 100% Heritage Angus Beef, which adheres to sustainable agriculture practices. The beef contains no preservatives or additives, cattle are raised in a free range environment and are grass-fed, and no antibiotics or growth hormones are used. The beef is seasoned during its preparation in restaurants. In 2012, Heritage Angus ranchers won the 2012 Canadian National Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA), a national award that "recognizes excellence and sustainable management and conservation practices."
Hero Certified Burgers was the first Canadian chain to use a new type of packaging for all of their products that is produced from 100% post-industrial/post-consumer recycled paper, and uses 35% to 70% less paper per piece than traditional forms of fast food packaging. The packaging, created by GreenDustries, won a Foodservice Packaging Institute award in 2010.
Elements of sustainable design are utilized in the company's restaurants, such as using LED lighting, non-toxic cleaning products and reclaimed wood.
Hero Certified Burgers also listed a number of food items that are non-GMO some of which include their lettuce and onions.
Philanthropy
In 2010, the company donated $8,000 to the Toronto SickKids Foundation, in a charity drive wherein a hamburger-combination dish was discounted to half-price for three days, and $0.50 from each sale was donated. From September 28 to October 25, 2015, Hero Certified Burgers donated to the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. $1.00 was donated for every pink bun purchased. The buns were coloured with beet juice.
Awards and recognition
In 2005, Hero Certified Burgers was a finalist in the ARC Awards, nominated for Best New Retail Concept. In 2012, Hero Certified Burgers won the Top Choice Award for Top Burger Shop in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). In 2013, founder John Lettieri was a finalist in Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.