Popular local restaurant gets investment from Chipotle ‘to open new locations, expand to new markets’

The popular Mediterranean restaurant that “is kind of like a Chipotle, but with falafel” is now actually being invested in by Chipotle.

Brassica, first established here in Columbus back in 2015, provides organic bowls, salads, and pita wraps, all while staying “extremely careful about the ingredients we use,” says their website. “ At Brassica, we recognize that every decision we make affects the health of our community and the environment on a local and on a global scale.” 

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Now, the popular, fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant has officially received investment from Chipotle, although it’s not disclosed exactly how much. In a press release, Chipotle announced that it’s making a minority investment in Brassica through its $100 million Cultivate Next venture fund, which was introduced in 2022 to “strategically align companies that further Chipotle’s mission to Cultivate a Better World and help accelerate the company’s longer term growth plans to operate 7,000 restaurants in North America.”

Chipotle said that this investment will help Brassica “scale to open new locations and expand to new markets.”

Currently, Brassica holds four locations in central Ohio, and 2 in the Cleveland area. Kevin and Darren Malhame are the co-owners of Brassica, as well as Northstar Cafe and Third & Hollywood.

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