Member Spotlight: Freeburger

Encouraging customers to widen their palette and see just how good vegan food can be, Freeburger do things a little differently.

The clue is in the name – they quite literally offer up burgers at no charge, free of the kind of tarnishing environmental impact dairy or meat based products can often come with. To find out more about the Freeburger mission and how the operation works, we caught up with owner Leon:

How did you get into hospitality?

I got into hospitality because of my frustration that McDonald’s at the time didn’t offer a vegan burger. Through about 15 years of research, I had seen a lot of disturbing things in the meat and dairy industry so I slowly transitioned to a fully plant based diet. I decided to build a popup burger bar where all the vegan burgers are free.

While I was building the stall it just so happened McDonald’s released the McPlant burger, almost like they saw me coming! It was a mad coincidence, but it was good to see a delicious vegan burger option on such a mass scale, and even better that vegetarians and meat eaters are trying it as an alternative to the norm.

Earliest food related memory?

One Christmas when I was about 4 years old mum and dad built this huge gingerbread house. It was far too big for us to eat so it ended up in the garage. Unbeknownst to them, across a period of a couple of days I kept going out there eating chunks of it until it was all gone. I felt so sneaky and it was such a treat. Come to think of it now they probably knew!

One dish of yours that everyone has to try?

Well it’s got to be my vegan burgers! I use different ones from all the supermarkets so people can try them all for free at my popups and if they like them I can tell them where they can buy them.

What song best summarises your business?

Rage against the Machine, Killing in the Name Of. The artist name “Rage Against the Machine” reflects my passion to reveal the truth behind the hugely powerful and secretive intensive livestock farming industry. And the killing part is, of course what the industry is based on, but people are often too afraid to look.

My aim is to increase awareness, without any judgement, so that people can make more informed decisions about what they eat, regardless of what they choose in the end.

Craziest meal you’ve ever served?

Being a burger bar my meals are pretty straightforward, basically delicious burgers and fries, but the Spicy Thai Badboy burger that I did at one event went down a storm!

Are you more of a breakfast, lunch or dinner person?

For me it’s got to be a big vegan all day breakfast, which naturally I will eat any time of the day. But I like to spend time making proper from scratch dinners when I’ve got a bit more time.

Your ultimate guilty food pleasure?

Pot noodles for sure!

An independent hospitality business that inspires you?

Vegan Filth, based in Swansea and Cardiff do the most incredible takeaway fast food. It’s nicer than anything I’ve ever eaten, even before I went vegan. I’ve met them as well and they’re next level.

How do you manage the work / life balance?

I stop work at 5pm every day and I try not to work weekends. I’m a carpenter by trade and freeburger is a labour of love which I do for free in my spare time. I try and live a simple life and not chase big houses or showy cars. As such I can spend a bit more time on giving back through the freeburger stall.

What does success look like to you?

Success to me is taking some moments to be mindful and grateful for what we have. And if we are fortunate enough, to try to give something back to people, to animals and the planet.

Follow their journey here and find out more about Freeburger here.