BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton’s Neat Burger Chain Shuts UK Stores After M…read more
BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton’s Neat Burger Chain Shuts UK Stores After M…read more
Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton is facing a major business blow as his vegan restaurant brand, Neat Burger, is set to shut down all of its UK branches. The plant-based fast-food chain, co-founded by the seven-time world champion, has struggled with financial losses that have now forced a full retreat from the UK market, just six years after its highly publicized launch.
A Vision That Struggled to Stay Afloat
Neat Burger first opened its doors in 2019 near London’s Regent Street, positioning itself as a revolutionary plant-based alternative to traditional fast food. The brand quickly gained international attention, not only for its ambitious mission to make sustainable, meat-free eating mainstream, but also thanks to celebrity backing from Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Belgian football star Thibaut Courtois.
Despite its strong start and high-profile support, the company began encountering challenges over the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic and changing consumer behaviors including a significant drop in footfall across UK city centres due to hybrid work models bit the hospitality sector hard. Neat Burger, which once had expansion plans across Europe and the U.S., was not immune.
In 2023, the company shuttered its international locations in New York and Milan, and now its final two UK stores are also closing. According to reports by The Sun, around 150 employees will be affected by the closures.
“We have no further comment at this time, other than to confirm that the business has taken the difficult decision to close its UK restaurants,” a Neat Burger spokesperson said.
Financial Struggles Behind the Decision
Once valued at $100 million, Neat Burger suffered a £7.9 million loss in 2022, largely due to a steep decline in delivery sales and in-person visits. These financial strains ultimately made it unsustainable to continue operations, despite efforts to reposition the brand in a competitive and rapidly evolving food market.
Hamilton, who had previously stated that his goal was to provide healthier, planet-friendly fast food options, commented during the chain’s launch:
“I believe we need a healthier high street option that tastes amazing and offers something exciting to those who want to be meat-free every now and again.”
Neat Burger had aimed to cater not only to vegans, but also to the growing number of “flexitarians”consumers who are actively reducing their meat consumption for environmental and health reasons.
A Tough Year On and Off the Track
The collapse of Hamilton’s business venture coincides with a difficult start to his new chapter in Formula 1. Now racing for Ferrari, Hamilton has faced multiple on-track challenges in 2025 after a much-publicized move from long-time team Mercedes.
While the 40-year-old managed a pole position and sprint race win in China, he has otherwise struggled to match the pace of teammate Charles Leclerc, who has consistently outqualified and outraced him. Fifth place in Bahrain remains Hamilton’s best grand prix finish of the season so far, placing him seventh in the drivers’ championship standings after five rounds.
As the curtain falls on Neat Burger’s UK chapter, Hamilton now finds himself at a professional crossroads. While his commitment to sustainability and ethical eating has won him praise off the track, the closure of his flagship restaurant venture highlights the difficulties even celebrity-backed startups face in today’s volatile economic climate.
Still, Hamilton remains an influential figure in and beyond motorsport, and fans will be watching closely to see how he navigates the remainder of the F1 season—and what entrepreneurial ventures he may pursue next.
