The Habit Opens First Washington Location on November 18

Kent restaurant will celebrate opening with fundraising events to benefit local organizations, including the Kent Area PTA, Northwest Harvest and Girl Scouts of Western Washington

SEATTLE – Nov. 9, 2015 – The Habit Burger Grill will open its first Washington state restaurant on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 12900 SE Kent Kangley Road in the Marketplace at Lake Meridian in Kent, WA. Burger lovers can get their hands on and taste The Habit’s Charburger, recently named the “Best Tasting Burger in America” by a leading consumer magazine, and other menu items during several fundraising events.

The Habit has partnered with the Kent Area Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Northwest Harvest and Girl Scouts of Western Washington for a series of fundraising events in which it will donate 100 percent of all proceeds to the organizations. The events are open to the public and provide a sneak peek into what the restaurant will offer guests when it officially opens its door. The full line-up of events includes:

· Fundraising Event with the Kent Area PTA – Thursday, Nov. 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m.
The Kent Area Parent Teacher Association works to support the education and well-being of the children in the Kent School District, and proceeds will directly benefit its mission to provide leadership development, information and community services.

· Fundraising Event with Northwest Harvest – Sunday, Nov. 15, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Northwest Harvest is Washington’s statewide hunger relief agency. Proceeds from the fundraising event will help to provide food to the residents of the state who need it most while working toward eliminating hunger in Washington.

· Fundraising Event with Girl Scouts of Western Washington – Sunday, Nov. 15, 5 – 7 p.m.
The Girl Scouts of Western Washington is a chapter of the global organization that empowers young women and strives to give each member the confidence and courage to be a leader. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Western Washington’s chapter by funding the lives and service efforts of Girl Scouts in the community.

“The Habit Burger Grill is a neighborhood establishment, and we are eager to open our doors and introduce our award-winning Charburgers to the Kent and Greater Seattle areas,” said AJ Jafrey, Seattle area Habit Burger developer. “It is ingrained in The Habit culture to do our part to give back to the communities in which we service, and we want to celebrate our arrival by supporting just a few of the organizations around us that give back to those in need.”

The fundraising events will feature items such as The Habit Burger Grill’s award-winning Charburger, a fresh 100 percent ground beef patty chargrilled over an open flame and served with fresh tomato, caramelized onions, mayonnaise, pickle and lettuce on a toasted bun. Additional fan favorites include the Mushroom Char, Teriyaki Char, BBQ Bacon Char and Santa Barbara Style Char. Seafood lovers can enjoy the widely popular Albacore Tuna Filet, a chargrilled sandwich complete with line-caught, sushi-grade tuna steak and fixings. On the side, guests can order French fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, tempura green beans or fresh salads accompanied by a variety of handcrafted shakes and malts. All menu items are made to order using fresh ingredients.

“We are pleased to announce the opening of our very first location in Washington state,” Russ Bendel CEO of The Habit Burger Grill. “Our goal is to become the Kent area’s favorite Habit, one burger at a time.”

The Habit Burger Grill, which currently operates more than 130 restaurants across eight states, coast to coast, welcomes the 3,300 square-foot restaurant with seating for 82 inside and 30 outside to its family after more than 45 years of chargrilling. The restaurant is the first of the Washington franchise, with 24 additional locations set to roll out across the state before 2022.

The Habit Burger Grill is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.