After a Nationwide Vote, The Habit Burger Grill Finally Settles the Santa Barbara Char Debate: It's a Burger!

Burger or Sandwich? The popular menu item's identity crisis has finally been resolved by a public vote


GLENDALE, Calif., Nov. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After weeks of fierce debate and a nationwide public vote, The Habit Burger Grill proudly announces that the Santa Barbara Char has been definitively recognized as a burger. The debate began when renowned burger influencer @SamBurgerRodriguez challenged its identity, sparking a passionate "Team Sandwich" campaign led by Habit Truck Manager Kassandra McCalister. Fans from all corners of the nation, from California to Florida to New Jersey, eagerly cast their votes, and their collective voice has finally settled the matter.

The verdict was unveiled during a live event at the Glendale restaurant in Los Angeles, hosted by the popular radio duo Booker & Stryker of iHeart Radio. As the curtain fell from the restaurant’s menu board, revealing the official rechristening of the Santa Barbara Char as "The Santa Barbara Charburger," the atmosphere was filled with jubilation from fans proudly wearing “Team Burger” shirts and cries of anguish from those wearing “Team Sandwich” shirts.

“Finally, after 10 years of being in menu purgatory, our Santa Barbara Char has found its forever home in our burger category.” Jack Hinchliffe, Chief Marketing Officer of The Habit Burger Grill announced. “After an overwhelming turnout in our nationwide vote, the people have spoken. So, with this decision, The Habit Burger Grill is proud to declare the Santa Barbara Char is now officially, the Santa Barbara Charburger!”

To commemorate the Santa Barbara Charburger's journey to the burger menu, The Habit Burger Grill is excited to announce an upcoming documentary that will spotlight the remarkable journey, the nationwide vote, as well as McCalister's grassroots efforts. The documentary will provide an intimate look at the debate, the dedication, and the final decision that cements the Santa Barbara Char's place in The Habit Burger Grill's burger lineup. The Habit Burger Grill expresses profound gratitude for the enthusiasm and passion exhibited by fans and customers, which has been documented via social media, as well as featured on Good Day L.A. as well as iHeart Radio.

“We eagerly anticipate continuing to serve our beloved Santa Barbara Char as The Santa Barbara Charburger, with the same obsessive commitment to quality and flavor that our loyal guests have come to expect,” Hinchliffe added.

For media inquiries or more information about the upcoming documentary, please contact:

The Habit Burger Grill Press Contact: 

HBGMedia@yum.com 

Connect with The Habit Burger Grill on social media at facebook.com/habitburgergrill, instagram.com/habitburgergrill, twitter.com/habitburger, tiktok.com/@habitburgergrill, and youtube.com/habittube. Visit online at habitburger.com, or download The Habit Mobile App.

About The Habit Restaurants, Inc.
Born in Santa Barbara, California in 1969, The Habit Burger Grill is a burger-centric, fast-casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, cooked-to-order chargrilled burgers and handcrafted sandwiches featuring grilled chicken and sushi-grade ahi tuna cooked over an open flame. In addition, it features fresh handcrafted salads and an appealing selection of sides and shakes. The Habit Burger Grill was featured in Newsweek’s “America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains 2023;” its Tempura Green Beans was named as the top green bean dish in The Daily Meal’s “Ranking Green Bean Dishes From 11 Chain Restaurants” in 2023; and it was named in Thrillist’s list of “Underrated Burger Chains that Need to be in Every State!” The Habit Burger Grill has since grown to over 370 restaurants in 14 states throughout Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Washington as well as international restaurants in China and Cambodia. More information is available at www.habitburger.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/19a72285-8ed3-4882-8612-4cd473690d98


HBG 11.3 Photo