Fudena: 1st West African Fast Casual Chain in U.S.
Fudena is a food brand on a quest to push West African cuisine into the U.S. culinary mainstream
Project Description
Help fund Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia!
Fudena solves a personal pain point for Ghanaian-American founder Ruth Nakaar when she found herself craving the West African food from her childhood, but had trouble finding a quick + convenient way to enjoy it.
An important pillar of Fudena’s business model is empowering POC in Philadelphia
We provided meals to BLM Philly protest organizers in July 2020, over 450 meals to the homeless during the fall, and 250 meals to voters in North Philly on Election Day. We also source our ingredients from the Urban Creators, a local black-owned farm in Philly and hope to expand our black-owned farm supply chain as we grow.
Check out our features in Philly Mag (first, second), Eater Philly, and Material and our interviews with Item 13: An African Food Podcast + What Happens In Between Podcast
We are seeking funding to open Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Center City, Philadelphia to open Summer/Fall 2021. Here is how we plan to spend the money we raise:
With your help you can help Fudena become the #1 option for American restaurant-goers seeking quick and healthy West African dishes. We envision a world where West African cuisine becomes ubiquitous in the U.S. culinary landscape and serves as a gateway for people to learn more about and appreciate African culture!
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
West African fast casual? What even is that?
Think: the convenience + customization of Chipotle, but with West African flavors 😋
What does Fudena mean?
Fudena is a modification of the Dagaare phrase “Fu di naa?” meaning “Have you eaten?”
What’s Dagaare?
It’s the language spoken by the Dagaaba ethnic group, who originate in the Upper West region of Ghana and southern Burkina Faso. Fudena’s founder Ruth’s parents are originally from there.
Ok, thanks for that cultural lesson. So am I pronouncing “Fudena” right?
It’s foo-DEH-nah
FOO as in food
DEH as in den
NAH as in nah
What’s on the menu?
Build a bowl with your choice of grains, proteins, veggies, and tomato stew. Finish it off with a side of plantain donuts!
Help! I know nothing about West African food and I’m kind of intimidated! Where do I start?
Never fear! Start off with one of our signature bowls:
The Jollof Complex - Jollof rice, pan-seared chicken thigh, sauteed kale
Waakye is Bae - Waakye (rice + black-eyed peas), curried goat, caramelized onions
In Love with the Coco(nut) - Coconut rice, pan-seared tilapia, roasted sweet potatoes
Did you really name “In Love with the Coco(nut)” after that O.T. Genasis song?
Yes 👀
Ok then…I heard West African food was really spicy though 🥵. Can you confirm?
Yes, while a lot of foods are naturally spicy, but we like to be inclusive of all spice tolerances here at Fudena! You can choose between a mild or spicy tomato stew.
Where are you located?
We don't currently have a brick + mortar location, so we've been popping out of various locations in Philadelphia since Summer 2020.
We appreciate any amount that you're able to contribute!
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- $50 gift card redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- Virtual cooking class hosted by founder Ruth with live music performed by Julian Reid
- $50 gift card, redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- Private cooking class hosted by founder Ruth (virtually or in-person if in Philadelphia) with live music virtually performed by Julian Reid
- $50 gift card, redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- Ticket to party celebrating the grand opening of Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia (adhering to COVID-19 gathering guidelines)
- Private cooking class hosted by founder Ruth (virtually or in-person if in Philadelphia) with live music virtually performed by Julian Reid
- $50 gift card, redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- Limited-edition menu item named after you!
- Ticket to party celebrating the grand opening of Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia (adhering to COVID-19 gathering guidelines)
- Private cooking class hosted by founder Ruth (virtually or in-person if in Philadelphia) with live music virtually performed by Julian Reid
- $50 gift card, redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
We'll be in touch to see how best to thank you!
Rewards
We appreciate any amount that you're able to contribute!
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- $50 gift card redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- Virtual cooking class hosted by founder Ruth with live music performed by Julian Reid
- $50 gift card, redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- Private cooking class hosted by founder Ruth (virtually or in-person if in Philadelphia) with live music virtually performed by Julian Reid
- $50 gift card, redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- Ticket to party celebrating the grand opening of Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia (adhering to COVID-19 gathering guidelines)
- Private cooking class hosted by founder Ruth (virtually or in-person if in Philadelphia) with live music virtually performed by Julian Reid
- $50 gift card, redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
- Limited-edition menu item named after you!
- Ticket to party celebrating the grand opening of Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia (adhering to COVID-19 gathering guidelines)
- Private cooking class hosted by founder Ruth (virtually or in-person if in Philadelphia) with live music virtually performed by Julian Reid
- $50 gift card, redeemable at Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia
- A Fudena-branded t-shirt, designed by Sarah Holland
- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3
We'll be in touch to see how best to thank you!