Following the success and recent expansion of Fresh Kitchen (FK), a quick-service, build-your-own-bowl concept, FK has entered a joint venture partnership with Covelli Family Limited Partnership (CFLP) a franchisee of Panera LLC. CFLP owns and operates 77 Panera Bread locations in Tampa, Orlando and along the East Coast of Florida. In the coming months, CFLP will team up with FK to open Fresh Kitchen locations across Florida. The partnership announcement comes just as Fresh Kitchen made its debut in South Florida, with their Boca Raton location which opened in late March.
Fresh Kitchen invites guests to build their own chef-inspired bowls as fast as they can point. At FK, guests are presented with a diverse array of unique and seasonal bowl ingredients, all made from scratch and fresh-to-order. Offerings include mixed greens, sweet potato noodles, roasted veggies, hormone & antibiotic-free grilled meats, fresh seafood, home-made sauces, flavorful add-ons, fresh-brewed teas, and cane sugar craft sodas. Their entire menu, from start to finish, is 100% gluten free, with vegan options available.
CFLP is no stranger to the quick-service game, as they are a part of the largest franchisee of Panera Bread stores nationwide. Both CFLP and FK remain fully committed to creating innovative menu options, attracting great people, and going above and beyond guest expectations. “We will continue to focus on growing organically through our people, in order to maintain our beautiful culture, food and overall experience,” says Matt Lanza, partner of Fresh Kitchen. Both companies have established themselves as active community partners, as evidenced by their expansion into new cities across the Southwest and beyond.
Fresh Kitchen Boca Raton was the first to open under the newly formed partnership with CFLP. Kevin Ricci, owner of CFLP, will join Fresh Kitchen’s board of directors. Next on deck will be an FK location in the Waterford Lakes Town Center in Orlando. “We’re excited about the opportunity to grow our brand with such an established group like CFLP. They bring a level of expertise in both operations and real estate development, that when paired with our passion for food, will really create a strong team,” says Steven Lanza, partner of Fresh Kitchen.
“There is a strong synergy between FK and CFLP. We are thrilled to be teaming up to expand the FK footprint throughout Florida. Our guests will be the real winners of this partnership as we intend to grow the FK concept together and offer an unparalleled experience,” says Ricci. CFLP is also well known for their philanthropic efforts. In 2016, CFLP donated $8.4M through food and monetary donations to local food banks and non-profit organizations. Sharing this vision of community empowerment, Fresh Kitchen has aligned themselves, from the beginning, with charitable partners and gives back through community events and catering donations.
