True Food Kitchen is a popular healthy restaurant chain that serves nutritious and delicious meals. The chain was founded in 2008 and has grown to over 30 locations across the United States. Many people assume that True Food Kitchen is owned by media mogul Oprah Winfrey due to her well-known affinity for healthy eating and promotion of healthy lifestyles. However, Oprah does not actually have ownership in True Food Kitchen – though she has publicly supported the restaurant. In this article, we’ll take a factual look at who really owns and operates True Food Kitchen.
About True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen was founded in 2008 by renowned doctor Andrew Weil and restaurant executive Sam Fox. Dr. Weil is known for promoting an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle, while Sam Fox has founded and led several major restaurant groups. Together they aimed to create a restaurant that served healthy, nutritious meals without sacrificing flavor.
The first True Food Kitchen opened in Phoenix, Arizona in 2008. The restaurant features Dr. Weil’s anti-inflammatory food philosophy across its menu. Dishes contain natural ingredients and are meant to provide optimum nutritional value. True Food avoids ingredients like refined sugars, processed oils, additives, and preservatives. Menu items range from bowls to pizzas to salads to wraps. Some customer favorites include the Ancient Grains Bowl, Edamame Dumplings, and Grass-Fed Steak Tacos.
Since opening its first location, True Food has expanded across the United States. Today there are over 30 True Food Kitchen restaurants in states like California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. The chain continues growing through partnerships with major restaurant groups.
Oprah’s Promotion of True Food Kitchen
Though Oprah Winfrey does not own True Food Kitchen, she has been a big supporter of the restaurant chain. As one of the most influential celebrities in America, Oprah’s promotion has certainly raised the profile of True Food Kitchen.
Oprah has featured True Food Kitchen multiple times on her TV shows, website, and magazine. In 2011, Oprah declared on her talk show that True Food Kitchen was one of her favorite restaurants. She praised its healthy food philosophy and some of her favorite menu items.
The Oprah Magazine has included True Food Kitchen in its “Favorite Things” lists in both 2016 and 2018. Oprah highlighted dishes like the Tuscan Kale Salad and Ancient Grains Bowl. She noted how the restaurant makes healthy eating enjoyable through fresh, nutritious ingredients.
Oprah also invited True Food Kitchen’s founding chef, Michael Stebner, to be a guest on her “SuperSoul Sunday” TV program in 2015. They discussed Michael’s healthy cooking techniques and his unique approach to combining flavors. This gave the True Food brand great exposure to Oprah’s wide audience.
Through all of Oprah’s mentions, it’s no wonder that many people assume she owns part of True Food Kitchen. But Oprah has simply used her fame to promote one of her favorite healthy restaurant chains – not because she has any financial stake.
True Ownership of True Food Kitchen
While Oprah Winfrey has no ownership share, True Food Kitchen is still aligned with some big names. Here’s a look at the companies who do own and operate True Food Kitchen restaurants:
Founders Dr. Andrew Weil and Sam Fox
Dr. Andrew Weil and businessman Sam Fox founded True Food Kitchen in 2008 and still remain involved today. Dr. Weil continues shaping True Food’s nutritious menu and health-focused philosophy. Sam Fox provides leadership in real estate, restaurant operations, finance, and marketing.
Centerbridge Partners LP
In 2015, private equity firm Centerbridge Partners acquired a majority stake in True Food Kitchen. They viewed it as an emerging better-for-you restaurant brand with strong growth potential. Centerbridge helped accelerate True Food’s expansion across the U.S.
The Cheesecake Factory
In 2018, restaurant company The Cheesecake Factory purchased a minority stake in True Food Kitchen from Centerbridge Partners. They also took on an operational role to run the day-to-day functions of True Food Kitchen restaurants. The Cheesecake Factory was attracted to True Food’s positioning as a health-driven concept.
VCP Group
VCP Group is another private equity firm that acquired a minority share of True Food Kitchen in 2021. Like Centerbridge, they saw True Food as a leader in the healthy dining segment with room to expand nationwide. VCP felt the brand was well-positioned for growth post-pandemic.
So in summary, while Oprah has no financial ownership, True Food Kitchen is backed by strong restaurant operators and investors who believe in the brand. The concept remains true to its original healthy mission thanks to ongoing direction by co-founder Dr. Andrew Weil.
True Food Kitchen’s Future Plans
True Food Kitchen isn’t standing still – the restaurant chain has major expansion plans ahead. As consumers increasingly seek out healthy dining options, True Food aims to become a nationwide brand.
In 2021, True Food shared that it plans to grow to 200 domestic locations in the future. It is targeting opening 8-12 new restaurants per year to reach this goal. True Food is focusing expansion in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, New York, and Texas where the brand already has positive momentum.
Overseas growth is also on the horizon for True Food Kitchen. The restaurant plans to open its first international location in 2023 within the Philippines. It will be operated through an exclusive development agreement. More international growth is expected across Asia and the Middle East in coming years.
True Food Kitchen also plans to grow consumer awareness and engagement through continued partnerships. For example, True Food recently teamed up with WW (formerly Weight Watchers) to be an approved dining partner. This allows WW members to easily incorporate True Food meals into their wellness journeys.
The future looks bright for the True Food Kitchen brand as it stays committed to its vision of bringing healthy eating to more communities. While the chain continues evolving, it remains grounded in the original mission of founders Dr. Andrew Weil and Sam Fox.
Conclusion
Despite widespread assumption, Oprah Winfrey does not have ownership in True Food Kitchen. Yet it’s easy to see why people would guess Oprah is involved, given her high-profile promotion of this mission-driven restaurant chain. True Food Kitchen was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil and Sam Fox in 2008 to make healthy eating more accessible and delicious.
While Oprah isn’t an owner, True Food Kitchen has been able to thrive through financial partnerships with firms like Centerbridge Partners and The Cheesecake Factory. These backers have supported True Food’s rapid expansion to over 30 locations across the U.S.
True Food Kitchen remains committed to its founding vision of nutritious anti-inflammatory meals. With new restaurants opening annually, the brand aims to bring its signature healthy eats to communities nationwide and eventually worldwide. So while Oprah isn’t officially on the team, True Food Kitchen continues living up to the standards she has publicly endorsed.