Salt & Straw
 | |
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 in Portland, Oregon |
| Founders |
|
Number of locations | 40 (2024) |
| Products | Ice Cream |
| Website | {{URL|example.com|optional display text}} |
Salt & Straw is an ice cream brand originating from Portland, Oregon, established in 2011 by cousins Kim Malek and Tyler Malek.
History
Initially launched as a food cart in Portland's Alberta Arts District, Salt & Straw opened its first permanent store just three months later. The company has since grown its presence throughout Portland and expanded to offer nationwide home delivery, shipping ice cream carefully packed with dry ice and kraft paper.
In 2014, then Vice President Joe Biden made an unexpected visit to Salt & Straw accompanied by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley.
Salt & Straw currently operates stores in several cities including Portland, Eugene, Lake Oswego, Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Francisco, San Ramon, San Diego, Orlando, Sacramento, Seattle, Miami, New York,[1] Salem New Hampshire in Tuscan Village (New England), and Las Vegas. The company counts actor and wrestler Dwayne Johnson among its partial owners. Additionally, Salt & Straw serves as the exclusive ice cream provider for Alaska Airlines.
According to a May 2025 report by Food & Wine, Salt & Straw’s annual Upcycled Food Series has successfully diverted more than 40,000 pounds of food waste since April 2022 by incorporating ingredients such as date seed coffee alternatives and whey-based "wheyskey."
Flavors
Salt & Straw is widely recognized for its creative and seasonal ice cream varieties like Bone Marrow with Bourbon Smoked Cherries and Arbequina Olive Oil. These distinctive flavors have contributed significantly to the brand’s strong position and influence within the artisanal ice cream market.
In 2015, the company collaborated with local elementary schools to craft exclusive flavors inspired by children’s ideas, including Stop, Guac & Roll (avocado-vanilla ice cream paired with cinnamon-sugar-coated fried tortillas) and Honey Bear (vanilla custard featuring chocolate honeycomb candy and edible glitter). This initiative enhanced community involvement while setting the brand apart.
By 2016, Salt & Straw embraced sustainability by producing flavors from food scraps—utilizing ingredients such as overripe strawberries, spent brewing grains, and near-expiry vegan mayonnaise. Profits from these creations supported Urban Gleaners, a nonprofit organization based in Portland. The company also reduces waste by freezing products and donates surplus ice cream to charitable groups when certain flavors are retired, demonstrating its dedication to corporate social responsibility.
See also
External links
- ↑ Cuozzo, Steve (2024-10-07). "Super popular Salt & Straw has finally opened in NYC". Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- Companies founded in Oregon in 2011
- American enterprises established in 2011
- Food and beverage businesses founded in 2011
- Ice cream brands
- Ice cream shops located in Oregon
- Restaurant chains within the United States
- Dining establishments in Portland, Oregon
- Restaurants situated in Richmond, Portland, Oregon
- American companies established in 2011
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment