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Jalen Brunson Takes Equity Stake in Just Salad, Joins Advisory Board
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson takes a minority equity stake in Just Salad, joining the advisory board of the $1B fast-casual chain. The deal includes community programs in the Bronx and Harlem.
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Jalen Brunson is buying into Just Salad, the New York-based fast-casual chain valued at $1 billion. The Knicks guard will join the company's advisory board as part of the deal, his first direct equity stake in a restaurant.
Just Salad reported $195 million in preliminary revenue last year, up from $160 million in 2024. The chain operates 125 locations, all profitable, according to founder Nick Kenner. That contrasts with Sweetgreen, its main competitor, which has struggled to turn a profit across roughly 250 stores.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Sources described Brunson's stake as a meaningful minority share. The deal has been in development since early 2025, Kenner said.
Brunson's investment is not a typical endorsement. He will have a say in strategy and brand direction. The move follows a pattern set by LeBron James and Stephen Curry, who have taken equity stakes in companies rather than just cash endorsements. The difference is that Brunson is doing it earlier in his career and in a local brand he already uses.
"When I started thinking about owning equity in a restaurant brand, I knew I wanted it to be more than just putting my name on something," Brunson said in a statement. "I wanted to partner with a company whose values matched mine, and that was having a real impact in the communities it serves."