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We build national, digital-first brands that reflect how a new generation wants to eat.
Salted has raised $33.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Salted has raised $33.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Salted is a Santa Monica-based technology company founded in 2014 that builds and scales digital-first, better-for-you restaurant brands focused on healthy, quick-service options like bowls, salads, and pizzas, primarily through delivery and takeout via ghost kitchens and proprietary software.[1][3][4][6] It serves modern consumers seeking convenient, health-conscious meals without preservatives, sugars, or gluten, solving the problem of scalable, high-quality virtual dining amid rising delivery demand boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4][5][6] With brands like Moonbowls (Korean-inspired), $5 Salad Co., Thrive Kitchen, Califlower Pizza, Lulubowls, and Ginger Bowls operating in 25+ locations across 10 states, Salted has raised ~$39M in funding (including $9M seed, $16M Series A, $14M Series B) and aims for 50 locations by 2026, generating $1M-$2.5M annual revenue per kitchen.[3][4][5][6]
Salted was founded in 2014 by serial entrepreneur Jeff Appelbaum, previously behind group-buying site DealQuad Inc. and social media firm Buzzpoint, driven by his personal passion for food and a vision to disrupt retail like digital-first e-commerce brands of the 2000s.[1][3][6] Originally named Video Recipe Network, it evolved into a platform for technology-driven dining experiences, capitalizing on the delivery boom during COVID-19 when restaurants shifted to virtual models.[1][4] Early traction came from launching health-focused digital brands like Moonbowls and $5 Salad Co., partnering with DoorDash and Uber Eats, and raising seed funding in 2021 led by Kamine Development Corporation; pivotal moments include a $16M Series A (led by Creadev) and $14M Series B to fuel expansion.[3][4][5]
Salted rides the ghost kitchen and delivery-only trend, accelerated by COVID-19, where digital natives like DoorDash dominate and consumers prioritize convenience, health, and tech-enabled trust over in-person dining.[3][4][5][6] Timing aligns with e-commerce parallels—scaling brands virtually like 2000s online retail—amid market forces like labor shortages, rising rents, and 90% delivery adoption in QSR.[3][6] It influences the ecosystem by proving capital-efficient models (e.g., $1M+ revenue per kitchen) compete with giants like CloudKitchens or C3, fostering investor interest in food-tech hybrids and paving the way for household healthy brands in a $100B+ virtual kitchen market.[3][4][5]
Salted's momentum—doubling locations to 50 by 2026, tech refinements like saltedOS, and brand acquisitions—positions it to dominate healthy digital QSR as delivery evolves with AI personalization and hybrid storefronts.[5][6] Trends like sustained virtual dining (post-COVID normalization), wellness booms, and data-driven ops will propel growth, potentially evolving its influence from niche scaler to category leader akin to digital disruptors in retail. This tech-fueled pivot from traditional restaurants echoes its founding vision, delivering scalable, consumer-loved brands without physical constraints.[1][3][6]
Salted has raised $33.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $14.0M Series B in October 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2023 | $14M Series B | — | B. Riley Venture Capital, Proof Ventures | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2021 | $15M Series A | — | ArcTern Ventures, Bling Capital, Core Innnovation Capital, Foundamental, Giant Ventures, Kaan Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Sand Hill Angels, SQN Venture Partners, Y Combinator, Zeno Ventures, Michael MA, Shane Neman, B. Riley Venture Capital, Proof Ventures | Announced |
| May 1, 2021 | $4M Seed | Kamine Development | Andreessen Horowitz, Craft Ventures, CRV, Seven Seven SIX, The HIT Forge, Andre Iguodala, Brandon Leonardo, Gautam Gupta, Katy Perry, Manish Chandra, MAX Mullen, Odell Beckham JR., Stacy Brown Philpot, Varsha RAO, Proof Ventures, Valor Equity Partners, Wonder Ventures | Announced |
Salted has raised $33.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Salted's investors include B. Riley Venture Capital, Proof Ventures, ArcTern Ventures, Bling Capital, Core Innnovation Capital, Foundamental, Giant Ventures, KAAN Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Sand Hill Angels, SQN Venture Partners, Y Combinator.