Habit Burger Chain Sold for $375 Million
(courtesy photo)
By edhat staff
The Habit Burger Grill chain has sold its non-Santa Barbara County locations for $375 million.
The fast-casual restaurant focuses on char-grilled burgers, chicken sandwiches, hearty salads, ahi tuna sandwiches, milkshakes, and more.
Yum Brands Inc., who owns Taco Bell, Piza Hut, and KFC fast-food chains, announced the acquisition Monday from their Irvine headquarters.
The Habit on Hollister Ave (courtesy photo)
The original location, located at 5735 Hollister Ave, opened in 1969 selling burgers for 24 cents each. In 1980, local brothers Brent and Bruce Reichard purchased the place and grew it to a 24-location chain by 2007 with an investment firm holding a majority of the stake.
The Habit Burger Grill went public in 2014 and soon expanded to nearly 300 locations in the United States and China after the Reichard's sold all Habit locations outside of Santa Barbara County.
The Reichard Brothers issued a statement Tuesday clarifying the Santa Barbara County Habit Burger Grill locations continue to be 100% wholly owned and operated by the original founding family and the purchase by Yum Brands is limited to those outside the county.
“There will be no impact to our locations in Santa Barbara County from the impending acquisition of the national Habit chain by Yum! Brands. The 8 Santa Barbara County Habit locations are still locally owned, by our family, as they have been for decades. There will be no changes to our operations, menu, or workforce. We remain committed as a local family business to our original motto 'There is no substitute for quality', and we appreciate your continued loyal support," said original founder and CEO Brent Reichard.
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47 Comments
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Jan 08, 2020 11:30 AMGoing to ruin Habit like they did Baja Fresh. At least the SB locations won't be affected... hopefully
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Jan 08, 2020 11:46 AMgoleta SB locations are still locally owned. so dont worry, yet
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Jan 08, 2020 04:31 PMright thats what i said at least SB locations not affected.
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Jan 08, 2020 06:11 PMwhen you say
"hopefully" it implies there is a risk. but there is not. just clarifying what was already written in the article.
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Jan 08, 2020 11:47 AMIn-N-Out is way better than The Habit. I wish that all Habit burgers in Santa Barbara County were turned into In-N-Out.
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Jan 08, 2020 01:42 PMJust different. Enjoy them both.
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Jan 08, 2020 02:16 PMMRTRUMP - as usual... NO.
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Jan 08, 2020 03:43 PMOh hell no! The Habit blows In n Out away! There is more lettuce and onion, than hamburger, on an In n Out burger. Habit has fresh flame grilled char burgers and the meat is the main item on the bun! So glad our Habits will remain the same mouthwatering place we have grown to love! Thank you to the Bros for keeping it real in Santa Barbara! You can still get your Chili Burgers in Goleta. Trust me it is worth the drive.
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Jan 08, 2020 04:03 PMThe In-N-Out Double Double hamburger has plenty of beef. The Habit charges $1 for a single slice of processed cheese. In-N-Out uses real chedder cheese and does not charge extra. In-N-Out has great 50's vintage car T-shirts and clothing for sale. The Habit charburger is OK, but is sort of bland.
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Jan 08, 2020 04:22 PMI agree with the replies, the Habit has FAR better tasting meat than In N Out, and the cheese appears to be of better quality as well. When given a choice, I always choose Habit over In N Out.
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Jan 08, 2020 08:42 PMYou don't need double the hamburger patties to get more beef on your bun at the Habit! I'd even go as far as to say there is more hamburger on a single char than a double-double. Plus the meat at the Habit is way better too. As the motto says, "No substitute for quality". Now I am craving my Teriyaki C and they close in 15 minutes. See ya
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Jan 08, 2020 09:00 PMHmm...so is it a good Burger you are buying or a T-shirt? Personally I am glad the Habit just sticks to good old yummy grub! Low prices and happy faces.
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Jan 08, 2020 11:48 AMThey need to bring back the chili dogs and burgers back to all locations
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Jan 08, 2020 12:06 PMAgreed!
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Jan 08, 2020 08:46 PMFyi they have always had the Chili Burgers in Goleta. It is the only spot that has ever had it. Let's wish for the draft beers to come back instead!
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Jan 08, 2020 09:35 PMActually they use to have it at the one on milpas and at the Ventura one by chuckie cheese but not anymore
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Jan 09, 2020 12:07 AMActually, you just need to hit refresh after your post and it won't show up 5X.
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Jan 09, 2020 10:36 AMIf you order it they will serve it. It's not on the menu. I saw like 10 chili dogs there a couple weeks ago. Kind of like in-n-out's secret menu apparently.
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Jan 09, 2020 10:37 AM...at the old town location, btw.
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Jan 08, 2020 11:57 AMWhat was the name of the burger place at the same location prior to The Habit?
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Jan 09, 2020 12:02 AMHamburger Habit
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Jan 09, 2020 12:08 AMThank you! I still call it Hamburger Habit.
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Jan 09, 2020 12:13 AMIf I am correct: it was Habit Burger, then Hamburger Habit and now The Habit Burger Grill. I still call it Hamburger Habit...guess it's my bad Habit now. Lol
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Jan 09, 2020 12:14 AMMe too. I liked that name better. Cal Taco is a favorite too. They were once owned by Hamburger Habit.
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Jan 09, 2020 12:16 AMHA HA! It's the best burger ever!
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Jan 09, 2020 12:20 AMI don't remember Habit Burger, but I heard that. I think that was prior to 90 when I moved here.
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Jan 10, 2020 02:28 AMMost of my friends just call it ‘The Habit’
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Jan 08, 2020 12:02 PMI am confused...if it originally opened in 1969, how is it that Brent Reichard, who purchased the original location in 1980, is described as the original founder?
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Jan 09, 2020 08:48 AMThey're Mom started the business in 1969. Her sons Brent & Bruce took it over in the 80s.
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Jan 08, 2020 12:11 PMAfter reading this, the headline is super misleading compared to the storyline. The story is "Santa Barbara County Habits remain locally owned, not part of $375 million sale."
Come on, Edhat. You're supposed to be a local news site...let's not click bait the puppies here with misleading headlines.
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Jan 08, 2020 12:38 PMHeadline is accurate. The Habit Burger CHAIN has sold... ya know, the one's with over 200 locations. The local stores are the same owner.
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Jan 09, 2020 12:03 AMHamburger Habit the old name
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Jan 09, 2020 05:10 AMNot the best burger I have ever had but very good they should have held out for more money.
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Jan 09, 2020 07:39 AMBest thing on the Menu is the Cobb Salad...trust me.
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Jan 09, 2020 07:48 AMCongrats to the family on decades of business success, and leadership in Santa Barbara! We’re regulars at Milpas Hamburger Habit: the best, including menu options! (The only thing I’d improve are French Fries.)
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Jan 09, 2020 08:24 AMNot a bad burger, but fallout of the chopped lettuce is a sloppy mess. I prefer a few leaves to the handful of shredded iceberg.
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Jan 09, 2020 10:12 AMGO MEATLESS! For the planet, for your body, for animals.
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Jan 09, 2020 11:28 AMgo somewhere else with your post
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Jan 09, 2020 03:36 PMPSTARSR, a vegan, an atheist and a crossfitter walk into a bar. How do I know? He told me within the first 20 seconds.
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Jan 09, 2020 04:45 PMIf God had meant for us to be vegan, she wouldn't have made pigs out of bacon.
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Jan 09, 2020 05:04 PMHow do I get woke? I wanna be woke.....woke by the duhlishuss schmell of thick W-cut hickory-smoked bacon and plump Jimmay-Dane sausage patties that is. Wayz them bisscutts and gravee boat?
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Jan 09, 2020 01:05 PM"A meal without meat, is like a day without sunshine"..
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Jan 09, 2020 03:34 PMCongratulations to the Reichard Family!
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Jan 10, 2020 05:49 AMI love the habit...great burgers !! Regarding the history of the habit, though, I know a few old timers in Isla Vista who swear that Hamburger Habit started in Isla Vista in the late 60's, where South Coast Deli is now on Pardall Rd , then moved to Old Town Goleta a short time after.
I think Rusty's Pizza and Kinko's started in Isla Vista too.
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Jan 10, 2020 08:18 AM$375m seems cheap for a popular and growing chain of 300+ restaurants
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Jan 10, 2020 09:28 AM$375M and assumption of a mighty debt load.
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Jan 10, 2020 08:59 AMEat there every Sunday after church. Thank you Habit for always a quality, delicious meal. You are the Best!