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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

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Project Description

Help fund Fudena's first brick + mortar location in Philadelphia!
Photo of 2 models in Fudena swag in front of the Philly LOVE statue
 
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.
Photo of Founder Ruth Nakaar + her mother

 

Fudena proposes a solution that makes West African food more accessible to the U.S.
 
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.

Photo of 3 #FUDENABOWLS

 

 

Photo of plantain donuts

 

 

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

Photo of the #FUDENAFAM
 
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:
We are seeking funds to open Fudena’s first brick + mortar location

 

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!

 

Photo of #FUDEES

 

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.

 

Anonymous
09/15/2021
Monetary Contribution
$100
09/08/2021
$50 gift card + t-shirt + note + sticker
$100
David Loiter
09/01/2021
T-shirt + thank you card + sticker
$50
April
08/24/2021
$50 gift card + t-shirt + note + sticker
$100
Ryan Mendias
08/23/2021
Handwritten thank you card + sticker
$25
Sam Louis
08/22/2021
Monetary Contribution
$25
Maureen Marra
08/17/2021
Monetary Contribution
$25
Ashley G Brown
08/13/2021
T-shirt + thank you card + sticker
$50
melody
08/13/2021
Monetary Contribution
$20
Brendan Aronson
08/13/2021
Handwritten thank you card + sticker
$25
Monetary Contribution

We appreciate any amount that you're able to contribute!

31 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Handwritten thank you card + sticker

- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3

26 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
T-shirt + thank you card + sticker

- 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

32 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
$50 gift card + t-shirt + note + sticker

- $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

54 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Virtual cooking class with live music

- 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

3 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Private cooking class with live music

- 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

2 Supporters
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Tickets to exclusive grand opening party

- 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

0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Menu item named after you!

- 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

0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
Wow!

We'll be in touch to see how best to thank you!

0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Philadelphia, PA
Created 1 Campaign
Lifestyle
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

We appreciate any amount that you're able to contribute!

31 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Handwritten thank you card + sticker

- Thank you card personally written by founder Ruth + Fudena logo sticker, both infused with love <3

26 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
T-shirt + thank you card + sticker

- 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

32 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
$50 gift card + t-shirt + note + sticker

- $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

54 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Virtual cooking class with live music

- 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

3 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Private cooking class with live music

- 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

2 Supporters
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Tickets to exclusive grand opening party

- 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

0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Menu item named after you!

- 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

0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
Wow!

We'll be in touch to see how best to thank you!

0 Supporters
Select this reward