Cleveland Avenue

Cleveland Avenue is a venture capital investment firm established in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The firm specializes in investing in a range of sectors, including food and beverage companies, lifestyle consumer brands, agricultural technology, and technology firms. As a registered investment adviser, Cleveland Avenue focuses on seed-stage, early-stage, later-stage, and growth-stage opportunities, aiming to support innovative companies that align with its strategic interests.

Matthew Wellington Burns

Senior Associate, Investments

Fernando Carranza

Venture Investor

Harry Coaxum

Managing Partner, Operations

Walker Cullinan

Analyst

Ellen Federbush

Project Manager, Office of the CEO

Keith Kravcik

Chief Investment Officer

Mingu Lee

Managing Partner, Technology Investments

Randall Lewis

Managing Partner, Agri-Tech Investments

Jason Mercer

Principal

Fabian Gosselin

Investor

Veronica Pierce

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Don Thompson

Co-Founder and CEO

Ryan Tlusty

CFO

Robert Wietecki

Senior Associate, Investments

Taylor Williams

Venture Investor

Past deals in Restaurants

Dom's Kitchen & Market

Convertible Note in 2023
Dom's Kitchen & Market is a grocery store chain founded in 2021 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company aims to provide a unique shopping experience that combines grocery shopping, restaurant dining, and home delivery services. It focuses on well-crafted, locally sourced, and globally-inspired food, creating a food destination that encourages sharing, exploration, and community engagement. Dom's Kitchen & Market fosters an inviting atmosphere where consumers can enjoy discovery and hospitality, making it a central hub for culinary experiences in the community.

Zerocater

Series C in 2023
Zerocater, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that operates a subscription-based and on-demand food ordering platform, specifically designed for businesses and their employees. Founded in 2009, Zerocater delivers personalized and diet-specific meals from independent restaurants, caterers, food trucks, and private chefs. The service caters to various occasions, including meetings, parties, and celebrations, offering a range of menu options such as breakfast, lunch, happy hour, desserts, and even craft beverages. The company serves clients in major cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Austin, Texas, and focuses on enhancing workplace culture by providing convenient and diverse food solutions that foster employee engagement and collaboration.

Sunda New Asian

Private Equity Round in 2023
Sunda New Asian is a restaurant chain specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine, with locations in Chicago and Nashville. The establishment offers a diverse menu featuring traditional dishes such as sushi, sashimi, and nigiri, while enhancing these classic offerings with upgraded ingredients. Sunda New Asian aims to provide customers with an authentic dining experience that reflects the rich cultural significance of the region's food and beverages, presented in a modern context.

Ayo Foods

Seed Round in 2022
AYO Foods is a premium meal solutions brand that specializes in authentic West African cuisine. The company offers a variety of traditional frozen foods and ready-to-serve meals, as well as shelf-stable sauces. Its product line features unique flavors and ingredients such as egusi melon seeds, cassava, and sorghum leaves, allowing consumers to enjoy traditional meals conveniently. AYO Foods aims to create mealtime opportunities by providing a diverse and authentic menu that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere.

Presto Phoenix

Post in 2022
Presto is a leading provider of labor automation technology, founded in 2008 at M.I.T. and headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. The company specializes in integrating advanced digital solutions into the hospitality industry, utilizing voice, vision, and touch technologies to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations. With over 250,000 systems deployed, Presto serves many of the top 20 restaurant chains in the U.S. Its innovative artificial intelligence solutions focus on automating speech recognition specifically for drive-thru operations, helping clients address labor shortages and generate new revenue streams.

86 Repairs

Series A in 2022
86 Repairs is a computer software company that offers a subscription-based platform designed to streamline the repair and maintenance processes for restaurant groups. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company provides comprehensive management of equipment repairs, including for ice machines, dishwashers, and ovens. Its services feature 24/7 support from a team of experts and deliver actionable insights aimed at enhancing back-of-house operations. By handling the entire service process, 86 Repairs allows restaurant owners to alleviate the burdens of equipment maintenance, enabling them to concentrate on providing quality service to their guests.

Bear Robotics

Series B in 2022
Bear Robotics, Inc. is a company based in Redwood City, California, that designs and manufactures autonomous robots specifically for the food service industry. Incorporated in 2017, Bear Robotics developed Penny, an artificial intelligence-driven robot that efficiently transports food, dishes, and drinks, while also providing customer service in restaurants. The company's innovative solutions aim to address challenges within the restaurant industry, such as labor shortages and rising operational costs, by enhancing efficiency and improving the dining experience for customers. By automating tasks like running orders and bussing tables, Bear Robotics not only seeks to increase job satisfaction for restaurant employees but also aims to boost profitability for restaurant owners.

FoodBoss

Convertible Note in 2022
FoodBoss Inc. is an innovative online food delivery search engine that consolidates information about various food delivery options and associated fees for numerous restaurants. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company allows consumers to access a comprehensive view of all available online ordering options, including those from third-party platforms and restaurants that offer their own delivery services. With a database of over 30,000 restaurants across more than 44 major metropolitan markets, FoodBoss enables users to compare delivery fees, menu items, and estimated delivery times. This functionality helps consumers make informed choices and discover the most cost-effective and efficient food delivery options in their area.

Ayo Foods

Convertible Note in 2022
AYO Foods is a premium meal solutions brand that specializes in authentic West African cuisine. The company offers a variety of traditional frozen foods and ready-to-serve meals, as well as shelf-stable sauces. Its product line features unique flavors and ingredients such as egusi melon seeds, cassava, and sorghum leaves, allowing consumers to enjoy traditional meals conveniently. AYO Foods aims to create mealtime opportunities by providing a diverse and authentic menu that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere.

86 Repairs

Seed Round in 2021
86 Repairs is a computer software company that offers a subscription-based platform designed to streamline the repair and maintenance processes for restaurant groups. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company provides comprehensive management of equipment repairs, including for ice machines, dishwashers, and ovens. Its services feature 24/7 support from a team of experts and deliver actionable insights aimed at enhancing back-of-house operations. By handling the entire service process, 86 Repairs allows restaurant owners to alleviate the burdens of equipment maintenance, enabling them to concentrate on providing quality service to their guests.

Ayo Foods

Convertible Note in 2021
AYO Foods is a premium meal solutions brand that specializes in authentic West African cuisine. The company offers a variety of traditional frozen foods and ready-to-serve meals, as well as shelf-stable sauces. Its product line features unique flavors and ingredients such as egusi melon seeds, cassava, and sorghum leaves, allowing consumers to enjoy traditional meals conveniently. AYO Foods aims to create mealtime opportunities by providing a diverse and authentic menu that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere.

Dom's Kitchen & Market

Venture Round in 2021
Dom's Kitchen & Market is a grocery store chain founded in 2021 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company aims to provide a unique shopping experience that combines grocery shopping, restaurant dining, and home delivery services. It focuses on well-crafted, locally sourced, and globally-inspired food, creating a food destination that encourages sharing, exploration, and community engagement. Dom's Kitchen & Market fosters an inviting atmosphere where consumers can enjoy discovery and hospitality, making it a central hub for culinary experiences in the community.

86 Repairs

Seed Round in 2021
86 Repairs is a computer software company that offers a subscription-based platform designed to streamline the repair and maintenance processes for restaurant groups. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company provides comprehensive management of equipment repairs, including for ice machines, dishwashers, and ovens. Its services feature 24/7 support from a team of experts and deliver actionable insights aimed at enhancing back-of-house operations. By handling the entire service process, 86 Repairs allows restaurant owners to alleviate the burdens of equipment maintenance, enabling them to concentrate on providing quality service to their guests.

Ayo Foods

Convertible Note in 2020
AYO Foods is a premium meal solutions brand that specializes in authentic West African cuisine. The company offers a variety of traditional frozen foods and ready-to-serve meals, as well as shelf-stable sauces. Its product line features unique flavors and ingredients such as egusi melon seeds, cassava, and sorghum leaves, allowing consumers to enjoy traditional meals conveniently. AYO Foods aims to create mealtime opportunities by providing a diverse and authentic menu that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere.

FoodBoss

Convertible Note in 2020
FoodBoss Inc. is an innovative online food delivery search engine that consolidates information about various food delivery options and associated fees for numerous restaurants. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company allows consumers to access a comprehensive view of all available online ordering options, including those from third-party platforms and restaurants that offer their own delivery services. With a database of over 30,000 restaurants across more than 44 major metropolitan markets, FoodBoss enables users to compare delivery fees, menu items, and estimated delivery times. This functionality helps consumers make informed choices and discover the most cost-effective and efficient food delivery options in their area.

Dom's Kitchen & Market

Seed Round in 2020
Dom's Kitchen & Market is a grocery store chain founded in 2021 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company aims to provide a unique shopping experience that combines grocery shopping, restaurant dining, and home delivery services. It focuses on well-crafted, locally sourced, and globally-inspired food, creating a food destination that encourages sharing, exploration, and community engagement. Dom's Kitchen & Market fosters an inviting atmosphere where consumers can enjoy discovery and hospitality, making it a central hub for culinary experiences in the community.

Zerocater

Series B in 2019
Zerocater, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that operates a subscription-based and on-demand food ordering platform, specifically designed for businesses and their employees. Founded in 2009, Zerocater delivers personalized and diet-specific meals from independent restaurants, caterers, food trucks, and private chefs. The service caters to various occasions, including meetings, parties, and celebrations, offering a range of menu options such as breakfast, lunch, happy hour, desserts, and even craft beverages. The company serves clients in major cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Austin, Texas, and focuses on enhancing workplace culture by providing convenient and diverse food solutions that foster employee engagement and collaboration.

FoodBoss

Venture Round in 2019
FoodBoss Inc. is an innovative online food delivery search engine that consolidates information about various food delivery options and associated fees for numerous restaurants. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company allows consumers to access a comprehensive view of all available online ordering options, including those from third-party platforms and restaurants that offer their own delivery services. With a database of over 30,000 restaurants across more than 44 major metropolitan markets, FoodBoss enables users to compare delivery fees, menu items, and estimated delivery times. This functionality helps consumers make informed choices and discover the most cost-effective and efficient food delivery options in their area.

Zerocater

Series B in 2018
Zerocater, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that operates a subscription-based and on-demand food ordering platform, specifically designed for businesses and their employees. Founded in 2009, Zerocater delivers personalized and diet-specific meals from independent restaurants, caterers, food trucks, and private chefs. The service caters to various occasions, including meetings, parties, and celebrations, offering a range of menu options such as breakfast, lunch, happy hour, desserts, and even craft beverages. The company serves clients in major cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Austin, Texas, and focuses on enhancing workplace culture by providing convenient and diverse food solutions that foster employee engagement and collaboration.

Craftable

Seed Round in 2018
Craftable is a restaurant management platform designed to enhance operational efficiency within the hospitality industry. Developed by experts in technology and seasoned professionals in hospitality, it provides a comprehensive solution for restaurateurs, operators, and accountants. The platform facilitates ordering and purchasing management, inventory control, and accounting integrations, allowing bars, restaurants, and hotels to streamline operations and improve productivity. Key features include menu engineering, recipe costing, and vendor management, which enable users to monitor costs and maintain profit margins. Craftable is suitable for a range of operators, from independent restaurants to large regional and national chains, and serves notable clients in the hospitality sector, including Hakkasan Restaurants and Kimpton Hotels. The platform is particularly adept at managing complex beverage programs and culinary offerings, thereby driving revenue and optimizing business performance.

PizzaRev

Acquisition in 2017
PizzaRev is a fast-casual franchise chain specializing in customizable pizzas. The company allows customers to create their own pizzas using homemade dough, a variety of flavorful sauces, and natural cheeses. This focus on personalization aims to enhance the dining experience by enabling consumers to craft pizzas tailored to their individual tastes. Through its franchise model, PizzaRev has expanded its reach, offering a unique and engaging approach to pizza dining.

PizzaRev

Funding Round in 2017
PizzaRev is a fast-casual franchise chain specializing in customizable pizzas. The company allows customers to create their own pizzas using homemade dough, a variety of flavorful sauces, and natural cheeses. This focus on personalization aims to enhance the dining experience by enabling consumers to craft pizzas tailored to their individual tastes. Through its franchise model, PizzaRev has expanded its reach, offering a unique and engaging approach to pizza dining.
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