Podcast - Software is eating the world. Software is also eating our wallets. Billions of dollars are lost on unusable pro...
Problem
Unequal access means Unequal opportunity
Young adults in the foster and re-entry populations lack access to training programs and meaningful jobs that can develop their professional and personal skills. Without these opportunities, they miss out on key professional developmental milestones like getting a promotion, achieving goals, or simply holding down a job.
How can we build a world in which a foster youth from East Oakland has the same opportunity as a high school graduate from Palo Alto?
We can! We’re using a productive business model that fuels these development opportunities, expands access to opportunities while teaching valuable business skills.
Solution
Growing communities through food
The Town Kitchen handcrafts and delivers delicious catered meals by helping foster and re-entry individuals explore their untapped potential. We believe that communities grow together, so we provide these individuals the experience, exposure and access to new opportunities to help grow themselves and their communities
Product
The Town Kitchen provides B2B, chef crafted meals, while employing at-risk youth.
- Culinary-inspired, locally-sourced menus
- Full-service Food & Beverage 'amenity in a box'
- Partnership Driven Impact
Traction
82% year-over-year growth
Businesses love using The Town Kitchen for their food and beverage needs as it allows them to create broader community impact while servicing their employee needs.
We’ve experienced a yearly growth of 82% from 2017-2018, with a total revenue of $1.1M+ in 2018.
Customers
Customers are inspired by our social mission
Business model
Diverse menu options for every catering need
Our revenue comes directly from the catering orders our clients place, averaging 45% gross margin with average order size exceeding $1,500. We also operate two cafe locations that provide a consistent & growing channel for us as well as another way for us to offer development for our youth staff.
Customers have the option of signing up for a weekly lunch program (34% of YTD Revenue) with us, or just ordering as needed. We offer breakfast, lunch, and a selection of appetizers to service every time of day our customers might need to feed their teams.
We source our ingredients and food products from local women & minority owned businesses, helping elevate another underrepresented community.
Market
Corporate catering on the rise
This $40B market is expected to grow by 20% over the next 5 years. There’s huge potential to create community impact by tapping into this market with an easy-to-order, plug-and-play menu that serves local business while also having an impact on the community. As food becomes integrated into workplace amenities and team culture, we expect to continue seeing significant growth in the market size.
Competition
Business catering with a social mission
No other player in the corporate catering space can claim to have both a chef driven menu (controlled production and supply chain), in addition to a social mission. Consumers are looking to make a difference with their dollars. We're not asking our customers to change their behavior to make a positive impact on their communities, simply to change their vendor.
Vision and strategy
On track to expand to top 25 metros
If we reach our stretch goal of $3M with this round (seeking $1.07M on Republic as well as additional investments), we’d be able to fund operations through 2021 and grow into other West Coast Cities. We’d also be able to expand to 5 redistribution centers in the Bay Area, averaging 4,300 meals a day.