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IPFS News Link • Events: America

Chicago gets its first organic fast-food chain

• http://www.naturalnews.com

(Natural News) Fast food has an undeniable appeal, despite its unhealthy reputation – it's convenient, cheap and satisfying, making it attractive on several levels. On the other hand, fast food products are notoriously packed with unhealthy ingredients: highly-processed mystery meats, GMO products, pesticide-laden produce and more.

But is it possible to offer a classic fast food menu consisting of burgers, fries and shakes, etc. using all-natural, organic ingredients – and without having to charge exorbitant prices?

Benjamin Brittsan and his wife Nicolette are betting on the concept by opening the nation's first certified-organic drive-thru burger chain, called Nic's Organic Fast Food.

The first restaurant will open in the Rolling Meadows suburb of Chicago this February, with plans to open 50 more Chicago-area locations before launching the chain nationwide – if all goes according to plan.

Nic's first location is a refurbished Pizza Hut that will seat 60 people indoors in addition to its drive-thru. The restaurant features a mascot named Nic the Organic Farmer – a muscular, life-sized super-hero figure in overalls who is ready to "take back fast food from the clutches of pesticides."

Brittsan stresses that his products are truly certified organic and not merely labeled as such.

From the Chicago Eater:

"The restaurant's products have been certified organic by Quality Assurance International… Certification means the foods are free of pesticides and other chemicals. The certification is something that comes with standards and isn't an empty buzz phrase like 'all natural,' said Benjamin Brittsan."

For example, the beef used in Nic's hamburgers is USDA-certified organic and free of chemicals, antibiotics or hormones. But the all-organic standard extends to everything on the menu at Nic's, including the chicken nuggets (made from organic white meat), french fries and even the drinks, which include organic juices, sodas and coffees.