Neat Burger, a popular vegan fast-food chain, has announced the closure of all its locations in the United Kingdom, marking a significant setback for the once-promising brand. The company, known for offering plant-based burgers, had hoped to tap into the growing demand for healthier, guilt-free fast food options. However, it appears the novelty of vegan burgers was not enough to sustain its operations in the competitive fast-food industry.

The closure of Neat Burger’s UK locations comes less than a year after the restaurant chain also shut down its New York location, pulling them completely out of the U.S. market. A spokesperson for the company confirmed the decision, stating, “We have no further comment at this time, other than to confirm that the business has taken the difficult decision to close its UK restaurants.”

Challenges for Neat Burger

Founded in 2019 by Formula 1 legend Sir Lewis Hamilton and Academy Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Neat Burger sought to offer a healthier alternative to traditional fast food, like those served by McDonald’s and Burger King. The chain’s mission was to create a plant-based, environmentally conscious dining experience. Their goal was to revolutionize fast food by offering “consciously harvested, plant-based food” and promoting healthier global eating habits.

Despite its noble vision, Neat Burger faced various challenges that hindered its growth, with financial struggles becoming apparent as early as the 2020s. In 2023, the company made the difficult decision to close its New York location after incurring significant losses. At the time, the company explained, “We are concentrating our efforts on our best performing restaurants — we believe that sometimes taking a step back is necessary to make a bigger leap forward.”

The Final Neat Burger Location

With the UK now closed, the last remaining Neat Burger restaurant is located in Milan, Italy. This marks a significant reduction in the chain’s operations and signals a shift away from its original international expansion ambitions.

While Neat Burger’s closure may be a disappointment for fans of plant-based fast food, it also reflects the ongoing challenges within the vegan restaurant industry. As demand for vegan and plant-based options continues to rise, the financial sustainability of such chains remains a delicate balance.