Keith Lee has made his first investment in the restaurant space.<\/p>\n
Lee, a content creator with 17.4<\/a> million followers on TikTok alone (as of this writing), is known for dedicating his time to amplifying mom-and-pop restaurants and small businesses.<\/a>\u00a0He doesn\u2019t seek preferential treatment, ensuring he has the same experience as everyday customers while delivering authentic reviews that have often changed the trajectory of a business altogether.<\/p>\n Examples include Janel Prator, founder of The Puddery, who was on the brink of closing her shop until a food review from Lee went viral, as AFROTECH\u2122<\/a> previously reported. Prator was also given a $50,000 grant<\/a> from Lee in partnership with Toast through its \u201cLittle Things\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n While Lee\u2019s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs has\u00a0long guided him, he is taking it to the next level by joining his family to invest<\/a> in Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, an Asian-inspired fusion restaurant and consumer products brand with 22 operating locations, according to<\/a> a press release.<\/p>\n This marks his first brand investment.<\/p>\n \u201cKeith\u2019s all about trust and authenticity and honesty,\u201d said Jeff Gallety, chairman and CEO of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, according to<\/a> Franchise Times. \u201cWe started talking about a partnership investment, and it came from a place that he loves \u2026 and it was then able to grow organically from there.\u201d<\/p>\n Lee commented in the press release:<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always believed that food brings people together, and that\u2019s what stood out to me about Brooklyn Dumpling Shop. It\u2019s creative, it\u2019s accessible, and it doesn\u2019t cut corners on flavor. Partnering with Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is about more than just great food, it\u2019s about community, culture, and creating experiences people can enjoy and trust. I\u2019m excited to be part of what they\u2019re building and to help introduce even more people to something special.\u201d<\/p>\n In a TikTok video, Lee teased that exciting updates are on the way for Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, both from a labor and a business perspective. He shared that\u00a0Brooklyn Dumpling Shop will also be among the vendors at Lee\u2019s upcoming FamiLee Day,<\/a> a one-day festival on May 16 in New Orleans.<\/p>\n @keith_lee125<\/a> <\/p>\n Brooklyn Dumpling Shop taste test \ud83d\udc95 would you try it ? \ud83d\udc95 #foodcritic<\/a> @Brooklyn Dumpling Shop <\/p>\n