News

LYFE Kitchen plans Chicago debut

September 19, 2013

LYFE Kitchen will open a franchise location in Chicago in November. The restaurant will be located at the corner of Clark and Hubbard and will be the first for owner/operator Carey Cooper.

"We are thrilled to open our first LYFE Kitchen restaurant here in our hometown of Chicago," said Mike Roberts, CEO of LYFE Kitchen. "I've known Carey Cooper for 30 years and consider him a trusted ally and advisor. Carey and his team, along with partners like Chef Art Smith, have gone to remarkable lengths to bring LYFE Kitchen here to Chicago."

According to a news release, Cooper's management team will serve as a model for other franchisees nationwide, and includes former Bubba Gump Shrimp Company executive Gail Taggart.

LYFE Kitchen, Chicago's menu will highlight the work of Chefs Art Smith, Tal Ronnen and Jeremy Bringardner. All dishes contain fewer than 600 calories and 1,000 milligrams of sodium.

Dishes such as Art's Unfried Chicken and Tal's Ancient Grains Bowl feature ingredients from local farms and rely on herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables for flavor. The menu fits multiple lifestyles, including omnivore, vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan. It also includes a specialty beverage lineup such as a kale-banana smoothie, wines and local craft beers.

The new LYFE Kitchen, Chicago includes LEED-certified building standards and features elements such as an herb wall, eco-friendly materials, LED lighting and more.

LYFE Kitchen is in the process of forming partnerships with local vendors. Current Chicago-area suppliers in development include:

• Intelligenstia Coffee
• Cougle Commission Company (poultry)
• Buedel Fine Meats and Provisions
• Tallgrass Beef Company
• Green Spirit Farms

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