Jalen Brunson Becomes Equity Owner in Just Salad Chain

Fresh off leading the New York Knicks to an NBA championship, star point guard Jalen Brunson is making a new kind of play — this time in the restaurant industry. The Knicks captain announced this week that he has become an equity owner in Just Salad, a fast-casual chain founded in New York that now operates more than 125 locations across seven states.

Brunson’s First Restaurant Investment

The deal marks Just Salad’s first-ever partnership with a professional athlete, as well as Brunson’s first foray into restaurant ownership. Rather than treating the move as a simple endorsement deal, Brunson emphasized that he wanted a more hands-on role, saying he’s been drawn to the brand for years and intends to work directly with its culinary and leadership teams. He plans to visit locations regularly and bring what the company describes as a competitive, results-driven mindset to daily operations.

Just Salad’s Expansion Plans

The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for Just Salad, which opened 20 new restaurants in 2025 and is aiming to add 30 more locations this year. Founder Nick Kenner, who built the company in his native New York, said welcoming Brunson to the Just Salad family represents a major milestone for the brand, expressing hope that the Knicks captain’s competitive edge on the court translates into similar drive within the business.

As athlete-backed investments continue to reshape the fast-casual dining landscape, Brunson’s stake in Just Salad signals growing interest from professional sports figures in building long-term business ventures beyond their playing careers, blending brand visibility with genuine operational involvement.