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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Dany Garcia make major investment in Portland-based ice cream brand Salt & Straw

Salt & Straw announced the partnership and new ice cream flavor inspired by The Rock

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

December 10, 2019

1 Min Read
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Leela Cyd Ross

Portland, Ore.-based ice cream brand Salt & Straw — known for its unusual flavors like olive oil and strawberry honey balsamic — announced a major investment from actor and former WWE star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and business partner and producer Dany Garcia. Johnson and Garcia invested an undisclosed amount in the 20-location ice cream shop, and will act as creative partners and strategic advisors for the future growth of the brand.

"Salt & Straw's proven commitment to connecting with local communities through their storytelling and creativity make this strategic investment a natural fit," Garcia said in a media statement. "We're thrilled to provide our expertise to build upon their forward-thinking and disruptive approach that has delighted consumers and inspired meaningful brand experiences.”

Both business partners have been fans of the quirky ice cream brand for a long time and Johnson even posted recently on Instagram about his favorite cheat “meal:” a stack of pancakes and three pints of Salt & Straw ice cream.

This is not the first major investment news Salt & Straw has announced this year. In May, the ice cream company announced a $4.2 million infusion from two investors: a $2 million investment from Oregon Venture Fund to fund their fledgling artisan food incubator program, and another $2.2 million raised by individual investors as a sidecar. The products of graduates from the culinary incubator are often used in the ice cream itself.

Related:6 culinary incubators launching next-gen food concepts

To celebrate the newly solidified business partnership with Johnson and Garcia, Salt & Straw is launching a limited-edition holiday pack of “Dwanta Claus” flavors inspired by The Rock.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi 

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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