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Nation's Restaurant News
Breakout Brands 2017: Salt & Straw
Marcella Veneziale Mar 17, 2017

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Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw

Salt & Straw — a brand featuring handcrafted ice cream made from local and seasonal ingredients — started in 2011 as an ice cream cart.

Salt & Straw
Allison Jones

Founded by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek, Salt & Straw is now an eight-unit chain with locations in its hometown of Portland, Ore., and in Los Angeles.

Salt & Straw
Leela Cyd Ross

Kim (right) leads the business behind the brand while Tyler (right) develops flavors as the head ice cream maker.

Salt & Straw
Leela Cyd Ross

At Salt & Straw, the ice cream flavors change on a monthly basis, which attracts repeat customers.

Salt & Straw
Leela Cyd Ross

Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper

Salt & Straw
Leela Cyd Ross

Freckled Woodblock Chocolate

Salt & Straw
Leela Cyd Ross

Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache

Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw

In addition to its signature flavors, Salt & Straw is making a name for itself through progressive labor policies. All of the company's employees — including part-time workers — qualify for health benefits and paid leave.

Salt & Straw
Leela Cyd Ross

This model has resulted in a very low 12 percent turnover rate for in-store workers.

Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw

The chain is currently growing. It recently opened Wiz Bang Bar, a soft-serve ice cream outlet, in Portland's Pine Street Market and will be expanding the Salt & Straw brand to San Francisco in the spring.

Salt & Straw
Leela Cyd Ross

For customers who can't visit its brick-and-mortar locations, Salt & Straw also ships hand-packed pints — priced at $9 — across the U.S. 

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