Oprah invests in health-driven chain True Food Kitchen
Oprah Winfrey has made an undisclosed investment in True Food Kitchen, a 10-year-old health food chain with 23 locations across the country.
In addition to the investment, Winfrey will “extend her strategic insight to support the brand’s national expansion” and join its board of directors, according to the company.
“I love bringing people together over a good meal,” Winfrey said in a statement. “When I first dined at True Food Kitchen, I was so impressed with the team’s passion for healthy eating and, of course, the delicious food, that I knew I wanted to be part of the company’s future.”
Her investment comes as the Phoenix-based company makes plans for future growth. It plans to double its store count in the next three years, with a particular focus on entering new markets on the east coast, such as New York and New Jersey, while expanding its existing presence in states including Florida and Maryland.
Christine Barone, chief executive of True Food Kitchen, said in a statement that she was impressed by Winfrey’s “genuine passion for the intention behind True Food” when she first met with her to discuss a potential investment.
“My hope is that her passion and investment will continue to develop our growing brand to allow even more guests to experience a better way of eating,” Barone stated.
The restaurant brand, which has a seasonal menu, prides itself on making food that “should make you feel better, not worse.” The company says it is “committed to sourcing the most responsible, creative and freshest in-season ingredients.” Its menu items include Edamame Dumplings, Asparagus Toast and Spaghetti Squash Casserole.
True Food Kitchen’s creative agency of record is Motive. The company works with the agency’s Denver-based team, which recently produced the video below for the brand.