Habit Burger Grill

Habit Burger & Grill is a fast-casual restaurant chain built around chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, salads, and sides. The brand traces its roots to 1969 in Santa Barbara, California, when it operated as a single family-owned location called The Hamburger Habit. In 1980, brothers Brent and Bruce Reichard took over the original restaurant and methodically expanded throughout Southern California, opening a second location in Ventura in 1997 and reaching 17 units by the early 2000s.

The company's trajectory shifted in 2007 when private equity firm KarpReilly acquired a majority stake, unlocking capital for regional expansion and franchising. By 2014, Habit Burger had grown to over 100 restaurants in operation or development and earned recognition as one of the fastest-growing fast-casual concepts in the country. The defining moment arrived in March 2020 when Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, acquired Habit Burger & Grill for $375 million. That transaction brought operational scale and global resources to accelerate growth beyond the United States.

As of November 2025, Habit Burger & Grill operates more than 380 locations across 14 U.S. states and several international markets including Cambodia, China, and the United Arab Emirates. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California. Recent expansion has pushed into Jacksonville, Florida, and Queen Creek, Arizona, with ongoing development planned for the Southeast and Southwest regions. The brand's menu centers on its signature charburgers made with 100% fresh beef cooked over an open flame, alongside grilled chicken, ahi tuna, veggie burgers, and salads. Its flexible format options, from traditional dine-in to drive-thru and non-traditional venues, support deployment across different site types and retail environments.

For landlords and brokers, Habit Burger & Grill represents a proven operator with established brand recognition and the backing of a major global restaurant parent. The company's active expansion into new markets and its demonstrated ability to operate across high-traffic retail corridors and mixed-use developments make it a relevant tenant prospect for a range of commercial real estate scenarios.