While working in New York City for fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, Matthew Corrin noted the many fresh food ‘mom and pop’ delis and was determined to successfully brand one.
23-year-old Corrin set out to add magic to the fresh food business. The idea? To create a restaurant brand that helped people all over the world live healthier and longer lives by making healthy food affordable and convenient. The mission was clear: to eliminate the excuse that people don't eat well. With mission in hand, Freshii opened its first store in Toronto in 2005 met by massive lines.
Eat. Energize. That's the Freshii motto. The aim is to provide fresh and nutritious meal choices that energize people on the go. Emphasizing the foods you should eat more of and less on those you should avoid, Freshii provides meals and snacks that help you live your best life. Think: fiber-rich, slow-burning carbs, essential fats and lean proteins. The menu includes custom-made green wraps, salads, quinoa bowls, and fresh pressed juices.
Freshii lives by their Mission Green. Taking a stand and being good to the earth by eliminating traditional industry staples: excess packaging, heavy energy consumption, and greasy processed meals.
Freshii was awarded 2013's Top Franchise of the Year in Canada and is continuing to attract high quality franchise partners, worldwide. Within the system, there is an Olympic Gold Medalist, Ex-NBA Players, Harvard MBA’s and recent new immigrants to North America. They are also making a significant digital impact through social media, where they have over 100,000 followers on Instagram, and their innovative mobile app, which helped them achieve the #8 spot on Restaurant Social Media Index’s Top Mobile Brands.
In 2013, Freshii launched Fresh Startups, a technology accelerator; with the mission to invest in young technology companies that share the mission of helping people live longer and healthier lives. Freshii has also teamed up with Free the Children to build school kitchens and vegetable gardens in developing communities worldwide.
Matthew is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner and a recipient of Canada's Top 40 under 40, as well as Inc. Magazine’s Top 30 under 30. In 2013, Matthew was featured on the hit TV show, Undercover Boss as the youngest CEO in the shows history. Matthew has been featured in Fortune Magazine, on Bloomberg television and CNN. Matthew is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member of Invest Toronto, a public board chaired by the Mayor promoting Toronto development.
Matthew lives between Chicago and Toronto with his wife, two daughters, and dog. Between two young children and over 1 new store opening every week of the year, he is proud to have mastered the 4-hour night sleep.
Today there are Freshii locations in over 50 cities and 10 countries worldwide.
Freshii offers a selection of quick and nutritious options including salads, wraps, rice bowls and soups in a "custom-built" format, served in a fast, hip and environmentally sustainable atmosphere. Freshii's upscale concept fits a niche between fast food and fine dining - offering customers the best benefits of both. Freshii provides the convenience of fast food with rapid response time and affordability without sacrificing on quality, freshness or flavour. Fresh food. Custom-built. Fast.