Green & Tonic LLC, one of Connecticut’s fastest growing food and beverage brands closed a $1 million round in Series C funding. The round was led by Julian Mack, senior partner at Catterton Partners; The Back 40 Farm Group; Andrew Sweet, managing director of Rhone Capital LLC; along with the support from investors Joseph Signorile and Daniel Patchod. This funding comes on the heels of the company’s April 2014 funding, bringing Green & Tonic’s total funding to nearly $3 million.
The Greenwich-based company’s latest round of funding will be used to primarily support its expansion plans as it prepares to construct its fifth location. The next restaurant is scheduled to open later this spring in the heart of downtown Westport, Connecticut. Current locations are in Cos Cob, Darien, Greenwich, and New Canaan. Green & Tonic will also use the new funding for a series of technology-driven initiatives designed to enhance the customer experience through web and mobile interaction.
“This latest funding round will help further grow our position in the rapidly growing health-casual space and allow us to bring our brand to more consumers through new retail units and innovative technology” says Jeffrey Pandolfino, CEO and cofounder, Green & Tonic. “We always knew these opportunities were in our future, but now we can pursue them much faster thanks to the generous support of our investor partners. This Series C round brings us one step closer to our mission of building communities of mindful eaters who enjoy the simple pleasures of a plant-based lifestyle.”
Before Green & Tonic, Jeffrey and Cai Pandolfino started Plum Pure Foods & Catering in Cos Cob, building it into a thriving operation. After selling Plum, the couple opened Green & Tonic in Cos Cob in 2011, eventually adding locations in Greenwich, Darien, and New Canaan, Connecticut. Green & Tonic's focus on serving pure health food—green drinks, smoothies, grains, vegan soups, and sandwiches—started with the Pandolfinos' own conversion about nutrition-conscious eating.
"We want people to feel better," says cofounder and owner, Cai Pandolfino. "Food should be like medicine. I've really spent the last several years focusing on exercise and eating the right kind of foods. It's been a fun ride so far. I think there’s a huge need for this in Connecticut. Now they’re opening their fifth location in the heart of downtown Westport, an easy spot for the post-work out crowd and Main Street shoppers alike. The Pandolfinos have said they found the perfect location.
Green & Tonic was founded with a spirited heart and an ambitious goal: to offer the purest, cold pressed juices, delicious superfood smoothies, and nutritious, plant-based food that help toward a happier mind, body, and soul, while leading the way for socially conscious initiatives. Green & Tonic hopes to engage the community in discussions about health and wellness with plans to start hosting "healthy happy hours" this summer, bringing in health professionals to address topics like nutrition, energy healing, and massage therapy.
