VERTS Mediterranean Grill to Debut in New York City with Free Food

(AUSTIN, Texas) January 12, 2017 — VERTS Mediterranean Grill, a Texas-based award-winning fast-casual concept, will debut its second east coast location in New York City on Friday, January 13^th at 24 East 23^rd Street. The restaurant, which recently opened its first east coast location in Boston, offers chef-inspired pitas, bowls and salads highlighting high quality lean meats, fresh veggies and zesty scratch-made sauces. 

In celebration of the New York City opening, VERTS will offer guests one free, full-size entrée from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The first 200 guests to arrive to the Flatiron restaurant will receive complimentary swag bags including VERTS t-shirts, recipes, coupons, and more. Guests will also have the chance to participate in social media contests throughout the day.

As part of its commitment to serving the surrounding community, VERTS will also donate 100 percent of sales of sides, drinks or extra entrées on opening day to Bike New York - a nonprofit that promotes and encourages bicycling and bike safety through education, community outreach and events. 

Founded in 2011 by millennial CEOs Michael Heyne and Dominik Stein, VERTS was inspired by the traditional street food the two missed from their native Europe. 

“Coming to the states as students, we were surprised there was really nothing like the traditional European street food we grew up enjoying,” said Heyne, CEO and co-founder of VERTS. “We saw a need for Mediterranean comfort food in a fast-casual setting and wanted to introduce it to the American consumer using healthy, chef-inspired recipes,” explained Heyne. 

Using the highest quality ingredients, VERTS’ chef-driven menu includes a number of scratch-made signature sauces, meatballs, falafel and other dishes prepared daily. In keeping with the standard of healthy Mediterranean food, most meals are 600 calories or less and feature lean protein, fresh veggies and zesty sauces. 

Starting with a choice of a pita, or bowl of mixed greens, rice or quinoa, diners may customize their meal with a selection of rotisserie-style sliced beef or lamb and other protein options including chicken, turkey meatballs or falafel. Next, guests may add a variety of scratch-made toppings like pickled jalapenos, carrot slaw, spiced chickpeas, Sumac onions and more. Additionally, several sauces, such as fiery Hot Harissa, Spicy Cilantro, and traditional Mediterranean favorites like Tzatziki and Hummus, are made fresh daily and offer an added boost of flavor. A number of sides, soft drinks, fresh-squeezed lemonades and local craft beer will also be available. 

“We’re thrilled to be joining such a vibrant culinary community by introducing our healthy, chef-driven Mediterranean menu to New Yorkers,” said Stein, CEO and co-founder of VERTS. “Our mission is to ensure that our passion for quality ingredients and distinct Mediterranean flavors shine through each and every dish.”

Serving Manhattan’s Flatiron District and surrounding neighborhoods, the city’s first VERTS restaurant offers takeout as well as a modern aesthetic for a welcoming and comfortable dine-in environment. 

After 25 restaurant openings and $35 million in funding in only five years, VERTS has made an aggressive expansion plan that includes the Manhattan restaurant and a total of 200 locations projected to open by 2020.

About VERTS Mediterranean Grill

Listed among the top 25 fastest growing fast casual restaurants in 2016 by Restaurant Business, VERTS is an award-winning restaurant concept that delivers on its mission to become the culinary leader in fast-casual Mediterranean food by serving chef-inspired pitas, bowls and salads. Teams in each one of our restaurants’ kitchens prepare savory, healthy food from scratch daily using fresh, all natural ingredients.Millennial co-founders Michael Heyne and Dominik Stein launched VERTS in 2011 with the simple idea of recreating the popular food they missed from their native Europe and making it available for American consumers. VERTS currently has locations across Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and Boston. The company is undergoing a major expansion across the U.S. and plans on opening restaurants in New York City and Philadelphia, amongst several new markets. To learn more, please visit us at www.eatverts.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.