Eating Up NYC

MANHATTAN, NY, December 04, 2010 (Press-News.org) Energy Kitchen, the Manhattan-based fast-casual chain whose health-centric menu features no menu item that exceeds 500 calories, announces the signing of an area development agreement for 10 restaurants in the greater New York City metro area.

The signed agreement - which will target Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens - is part of an aggressive expansion plan calling for 50 of the calorie-conscious eateries throughout Greater New York in the next 4-5 years.

"It's an exciting time for us as we continue to strengthen our footprint in the healthy, fast-casual dining industry and grow our brand in our own backyard," said Anthony Leone, Founder and President of Energy Kitchen, adding that the company has already grown to 10 restaurants throughout the greater New York metropolitan area and recently launched a national expansion plan calling for 1,000 locations in the next 10 years. "As more consumers begin to realize that fast food doesn't have to be fat food, we look forward to providing them with a healthy, delicious alternative to their dining options."

With a customer list that reads like a "Who's Who" of Hollywood - including Hugh Jackman, Renee Zellweger, Penn Badgley, Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman and New York Met David Wright, among others - Energy Kitchen is introducing a new era of healthy eating with its nutritious and convenient meal choices. Providing low-calorie, low-fat, tasty eats that are good for you, Energy Kitchen invites its customers to eat healthy without sacrificing taste. Nothing on the menu is over 500 calories, everything is grilled, baked or steamed, and full-calorie sodas aren't even an option.

"What we offer is fast food without the guilt," Leone added.

Energy Kitchen caters to the on-the-go consumer, serving healthy and tasty burgers and wraps such as the Sirloin Steakhouse Burger (395 calories), a 93 percent lean Piedmontese ground sirloin patty, topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions and steak sauce on a whole wheat bun, and the California Wrap (370 calories) which combines hummus, guacamole, roasted red peppers and cucumbers inside a whole wheat wrap, among others. The brand pairs meals with a varied list of nutritional sides, including steamed garden vegetables, baked homestyle potatoes and grilled asparagus salad, and also offers smoothies, salads, full entrees and healthy snacks.

New York natives Scott and Wendy Schwartz, along with sons Kevin and Kyle, will further develop the Energy Kitchen brand in New York. Looking to own and operate a restaurant that served healthy options quickly, the Schwartz family took matters into their own hands when they signed the local development agreement.

"There are numerous restaurants in the area that claim to offer low-calorie meals to customers, but none of those come close to what we offer," said Kevin Schwartz. "Our family couldn't be more excited about expanding Energy Kitchen and the healthy lifestyle it represents throughout New York City."

About Energy Kitchen
Founded by Anthony Leone and Randy Schechter in 2004, Manhattan-based Energy Kitchen is a healthy, fast-casual restaurant that provides nutritious and convenient meal choices by offering low-calorie, low-fat, wraps, salads, burgers and smoothies. Everything on the menu is 500 calories or less and is grilled, baked or steamed, never fried, and cooked to order. Behind the strength of a 2008 investment partnership with Mike Repole, the co-founder of Vitaminwater which sold to Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion, Energy Kitchen has already grown the concept to 10 restaurants throughout the greater New York metropolitan area and recently launched a national expansion plan calling for 1,000 locations in the next 10 years. For more information visit http://www.energykitchen.com, become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/energykitchen or follow the health-centric concept on Twitter @Energy_Kitchen.