Keith Lee has more than 20 million followers across social media platforms. | Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
Famed social media reviewer Keith Lee is moving from restaurant influencer to investor.
New York-based Brooklyn Dumpling Shop announced on Tuesday that Lee has joined the brand as an investor in a multi-year partnership.
The nature of the investment was not disclosed, but Lee joins a celebrity-studded lineup of investors behind the 22-unit fast-food concept. Other investors include Kevin “Chef Wonderful” O’Leary of “Shark Tank” fame; Stephen Ross and Matt Higgins, co-founders of the investment firm RSE Ventures; The New York Yankees; and singer Patti LaBelle, the company said.
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop was founded in 2021 by Stratis Morfogen as a spinoff of his full-service concept Brooklyn Chop House Steakhouse. The concept is known for chef-curated dumplings and an emphasis on automat-like technology in its shops.
The brand, which is also growing through franchising across the U.S. and Canada, also has a growing retail presence in grocery stores.
Last year, the dumpling chain announced an undisclosed strategic funding round to drive omni-channel expansion. Jeff Galletly, a previous vice president and general manager of Tim Hortons USA, was named CEO.
Lee has more than 20 million followers on social media platforms and is known for reviews that can have a huge impact on the restaurants he posts about. That impact has been called “the Keith Lee Effect.”
Galletly, in a statement, called Lee a “dream addition” to the investment team.
“Keith has built his reputation on great food, authenticity, and trust—which is what we’re all about,” said Galletly, who is also the chain’s chairman. “When we connected with Keith’s team, it was then a dream come true to learn he loved our food and wanted to make us his first investment. It validated the strength of our brand, products, and long-term vision.”
Lee is scheduled to make a pop-up appearance at the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s Dallas location on Friday. The chain will also be a featured vendor at Lee’s first-ever FamiLee Day, scheduled for May 16 in New Orleans.
@keith_lee125 Brooklyn Dumpling Shop taste test 💕 would you try it ? 💕 #foodcritic @Brooklyn Dumpling Shop ♬ original sound – Keith Lee
“I’ve always believed that food brings people together, and that’s what stood out to me about Brooklyn Dumpling Shop,” said Lee in a statement. “It’s creative, it’s accessible, and it doesn’t cut corners on flavor.”
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