FOODWORKS, A CHICAGO HOSPITALITY COMPANY, LAUNCHES LOCAL RESTAURANT PLATFORM IN COLUMBUS, OHIO

FOODWORKS, a Chicago-based hospitality company with an eye for what’s exciting in local food, continues to expand its national reach with its expansion to Columbus, Ohio.

FOODWORKS partners with local restaurants and places them in prime locations in office buildings, retail complexes and other high-visibility sites. Starting this month, a rotating lineup of Columbus-area restaurants will operate out of the FOODWORKS locations throughout the city on a weekly basis, serving lunch to the public.

The first FOODWORKS restaurants popping up in Columbus include:

Wurst Und Bier, a lively German gastropub serving sausage-centric fare
King Gyros Greek Restaurant, family-owned since 1991
Lemongrass Fusion Bistro, the city’s first Asian fusion restaurant when it opened in 1997
Dos Hermanos, a food truck from couple Lisa and Vincente Gutierrez, who also run stands at North Market and Ohio Stadium
Sweet Carrot - southern soul food
Kinetic - healthy power bowls
Mixing Bowl Asian Grill - Asian fusion bowls and burritos
Mark Pi’s Chinese
Iron Grill BBQ

FOODWORKS partners with independent restaurants and women- and minority-owned businesses that specialize in a range of cuisines and emphasize quality ingredients, responsible sourcing and sustainability. FOODWORKS also partners with culinary schools on a work-study program that lets student-run guest restaurants operate in its stations, with the proceeds going back to the schools.

“We bring the flavors of different neighborhoods into one space. You don’t have to get in your car, think about where to eat or make a reservation,” says Jim Caldwell, FOODWORKS vice president. “We’re excited to join the local food community in Columbus. Our goal is not only to make lunch more interesting for our guests, but to help local restaurants grow and succeed in the process.”

FOODWORKS launched in Chicago in the spring of 2018 and has since brought its community-based incubator concept to Detroit, Phoenix, Denver and Minneapolis, among other major cities.