True Food Kitchen, the Restaurant Oprah Just Invested In, Explained | Eater
"After a high-profile equity investment by Oprah Winfrey—who will also join the chain’s board—the health-focused restaurant brand plans accelerated East Coast expansion and aims to roughly double its footprint from 23 locations in 10 states (concentrated in California and Texas) over the next three years, with first-time openings planned for New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina and near-term sites in Nashville and Jacksonville. Founded in Phoenix in 2008 by integrative-medicine physician Andrew Weil and restaurateur Sam Fox to promote Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet, the casual full-service concept bills itself “conscious casual” and emphasizes seasonal, sustainable, organic ingredients with abundant vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. The diverse menu ranges from bowls, pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches to entrees such as poke, Moroccan chicken, and gluten-free lasagna bolognese, and the beverage program includes sustainable wines, local beer, cocktails made with fresh juice and house-made syrups, and a wide tea selection; Weil remains involved in menu development and some original recipes endure. The brand was spun off from Fox Restaurant Concepts in 2016 and is led by CEO Christine Barone, and although the restaurant markets its anti-inflammatory alignment as a core differentiator, those health claims have drawn criticism." - Monica Burton
