PORTLAND, Ore. The Major League Soccer (MLS) Portland Timbers today announced their first Founding Partnership with Vancouver, Wash.-based Burgerville, the iconic chain of quick-service restaurants. The multi-year partnership includes fully integrated co-marketing initiatives and makes Burgerville the exclusive burger partner of the MLS Timbers, who will mark their inaugural MLS season in 2011.
"As we all move to top-flight soccer in Soccer City USA, the Timbers have made it a priority to establish partnerships with great local companies that share the same commitment to Portland and our region as we do," said Merritt Paulson, president of the Timbers. "We are thrilled to be able to join in this unique partnership with Burgerville today, and we look forward to welcoming many more Founding Partners as our organization continues to build towards its exciting future in Major League Soccer."
Additional elements of the Founding Partnership include a special Burgerville section of the renovated stadium for the MLS Timbers; Burgerville's commitment as a Founding Partner of the new Portland Timbers Community Fund and donation of match-day tickets for underprivileged kids; on-site Burgerville Nomad mobile kitchen presence at Timbers matches and during other non-event and special-event days at the stadium; and unique, co-branded social media initiatives over the course of the multi-year partnership. Timbers fans will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets at area Burgerville locations, with Portland's MLS team having a significant presence at all Burgerville locations.
"The Timbers' commitment to community really impressed us," said Cathy Miller, director of marketing for Burgerville. "We look forward to a fruitful partnership as the team continues to build its presence in Portland and we work together to raise awareness of the importance of kids leading active, healthier lives."
With 39 restaurants in Oregon and Southwest Washington, Burgerville restaurants remain committed to serving guests great-tasting food and being a valuable member of the communities in which they serve, placing a focus on fresh, local and sustainable practices.
About MLS Portland Timbers On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) awarded Portland the league's 18th franchise to begin play in the top-flight professional soccer league starting in 2011. The Portland Timbers will mark their debut MLS season in a significantly renovated PGE Park that will create one of the most exciting and authentic soccer environments in the country. New stadium amenities will include better sightlines closer to the action, new premium seating on the east side of the field, a new club lounge and a new entry plaza and team store. The Timbers have been a beloved part of the Portland sports landscape since their early beginnings in the North American Soccer League in 1975, launching the era of "Soccer City USA" in the Rose City.
About Burgerville Burgerville is a quick-service restaurant company with 39 locations throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, serving guests fresh, great-tasting food from a mission to "serve with love." Burgerville's values extend beyond locally grown berries, all-natural beef, Walla Walla Sweet onions and cage-free eggs. At Burgerville, the commitment to fresh, local and sustainable values is about helping people and communities thrive. The innovative company, established in 1961, is redefining industry norms by providing affordable health care for hourly employees and their dependents, purchasing wind power equal to their total energy use, converting used trans-fat free cooking oil to biodiesel and implementing comprehensive resource stewardship and recycling. For more information about Burgerville, please visit www.burgerville.com.
About Major League Soccer Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS kicked off its 15th season on March 25, 2010. MLS features 16 clubs, each playing 30 regular-season matches in 2010. Those teams include Chicago Fire; Colorado Rapids; Chivas USA; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; Kansas City Wizards; Los Angeles Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; 2009 MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Toronto FC; and, in their inaugural season, Philadelphia Union. Expansion teams in Vancouver and Portland will debut in 2011 and in Montreal in 2012. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official website at www.MLSsoccer.com.
