MrBeast Burger
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Virtual restaurant / Food delivery |
| Founded | November 10, 2020 in Wilson, North Carolina, United States |
| Founder | Jimmy Donaldson |
| Headquarters | United States , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Puerto Rico (and planned expansions) |
Key people | Jimmy Donaldson (founder) |
| Products | Burgers, sandwiches, fries, desserts, canned drinks |
| Parent | Virtual Dining Concepts, LLC |
MrBeast Burger is a United States-based virtual restaurant brand introduced in November 2020 by online influencer Jimmy Donaldson in collaboration with Virtual Dining Concepts, LLC. The enterprise currently manages more than 2,000 virtual outlets globally, including approximately 600 within the U.S., with strategic intentions to broaden its presence internationally and significantly increase its operational scale.
The offering includes a variety of burgers, sandwiches, fries, desserts, and canned drinks. Customers place orders through delivery platforms, which are then prepared by partnered physical restaurants under contract. This virtual kitchen framework allows for swift expansion and market entry without the expenses associated with traditional dining establishments.
Pre-launch
Donaldson shared via his Twitter that the concept behind MrBeast Burger had been in the works "for forever." Project managers Will Hyde and Reed Duchscher mentioned that development spanned several months to over a year. The official Twitter account for MrBeast Burger was established on August 12, 2020, and locations began appearing on delivery service applications shortly before the formal launch.
Launch
The inaugural MrBeast Burger location debuted on November 10, 2020, in Wilson, North Carolina, temporarily converting a Burger Boy restaurant. Donaldson promoted the opening through giveaways that included complimentary food, cash prizes, electronics, and a vehicle at the drive-through. The event attracted thousands of patrons, causing lines extending up to , ultimately leading to closure due to traffic management issues. On December 19, 2020, Donaldson announced the chain’s launch alongside plans for 300 contracted locations nationwide via YouTube. He also pledged to allocate a percentage of each order toward international food security organizations.
Following this announcement, MrBeast Burger rapidly became the top trending topic on YouTube and reached number one on app store charts. This popularity surge led to temporary app service interruptions and sold-out inventory at both pop-up and partner locations during opening night. Within four months after launch, sales surpassed one million burgers.
On April 26, 2021, MrBeast Burger collaborated with YouTuber Dream to introduce the limited-edition Dream Burger featuring two smashed beef patties topped with premium ingredients.
On October 7, 2021, Christopher Hedgecock initiated a class action lawsuit against Virtual Dining Concepts, accusing the company of unlawfully charging sales tax on fast food purchases in Oregon.
On March 18, 2022, Donaldson unveiled the Shrek Quesadilla on his MrBeast 2 channel. This item carried licensed branding from Universal Studios’ Shrek franchise and consisted of two beef patties combined with cheese, pickles, and onions.
Growth
After launching, MrBeast Burger announced aggressive expansion goals. In response to demand from fans beyond existing delivery areas, Donaldson committed to doubling or tripling the number of locations.
The brand expanded into Canada in early February with outlets opening in Toronto, Edmonton, and Calgary, followed by additional sites in Vancouver, Halifax, and Winnipeg. The first UK branches launched in May with five venues.
On August 30, 2022, Donaldson disclosed plans for the first physical U.S. restaurant at the American Dream Mall located in East Rutherford, near New York City. This location opened on September 4, 2022, drawing thousands of visitors and necessitating state trooper assistance for crowd control.
The chain’s initial Southeast Asian virtual outlet opened on March 22, 2023, in the Philippines, formed through partnership with JustKitchen Philippines and GrabFood.
MrBeast Burger now operates over 300 virtual kitchens across mainland United States and Puerto Rico. In 2023 it expanded into Mexico; followed by Brazil in 2024; Colombia since 2023; and Germany planned for 2025. A New Zealand launch was announced for July 2025.
Concerns Regarding Quality
The launch of MrBeast Burger elicited a range of reactions. Social media users expressed diverse viewpoints, with some commending the brand while others highlighted issues such as subpar service and extended wait periods. Reports also surfaced alleging that undercooked meals were served.
Operating as a ghost kitchen, the brand relies on third-party restaurant employees to prepare orders, which has led to inconsistent quality depending on the location. While some customers directed their grievances toward founder Jimmy Donaldson, others defended him by attributing the problems to the individual kitchen operators. Donaldson publicly recognized these challenges and offered refunds to those dissatisfied, underscoring his dedication to addressing the concerns.
Support for Restaurants Facing Hardship
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MrBeast Burger served as an important source of income for restaurants struggling financially. The menu was crafted to integrate effortlessly into existing kitchens without necessitating additional equipment or specialized training. For example, a facility near Dallas reported generating more than $7,000 in revenue on its inaugural day. The majority of MrBeast Burger locations function within established eateries such as Buca di Beppo, Bertucci's, and Bravo! Italian Kitchens, although other establishments have the opportunity to apply for inclusion in the network.
Lawsuit
On June 17, 2023, Jimmy Donaldson announced his decision to "move on from MrBeast Burger" in order to concentrate on his snack company, Feastables. He expressed remorse over entering into what he described as "a bad deal" with Virtual Dining Concepts, LLC, claiming the firm "won't let me stop even though it's terrible for my brand." These remarks were subsequently removed.
On July 31, 2023, Donaldson initiated legal action against Virtual Dining Concepts, alleging breach of contract. He contended that the company prioritized expansion at the expense of product quality and had trademarked MrBeast Burger without informing him, resulting in no financial benefits for him from the brand.
Virtual Dining Concepts refuted these claims, labeling them as "filled with falsehoods and inaccuracies." They stated that Donaldson had recently attempted to renegotiate his agreement and accused him of employing "bullying tactics" to evade contractual responsibilities. Represented by Greenberg Traurig, the company expressed expectations that Donaldson would act with integrity but accused him of placing "greed above his commitments and truth," warning of potential counterclaims in court. The dispute remains pending before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.