How inKind's Innovative Business Model Is Helping Restaurants (and Diners) Thrive

With Black History Month and Women’s History Month on the horizon, we wanted to take a moment and share some of inKind's efforts supporting Black chefs and female owned restaurants across the country.

After launching on Goody last year, inKind quickly became one of our top-performing brands of the year.

It's easy to see why. With inKind's digital restaurant pass, diners can access a national network of trendy restaurants, cafes, and bars — with a 25% bonus! That means, for example, a $80 NYC restaurant pass gives your recipient $100 to spend at dozens of chic restaurants around the city.

For anyone who loves to eat out, it sounds too good to be true. Yet the best part about inKind's model is that they can offer diners this bonus while supporting independent restaurateurs and chefs. (More on how below.)

With Black History Month and Women’s History Month on the horizon, we want to take a moment and share some of inKind's incredible efforts to support Black and female restaurateurs and chefs across the country.

inKind is passionate about connecting people through diverse cuisine, bold flavors, and time spent dining together. inKind's mission is to support the growth and success of restaurants by providing resources, creating new guest experiences, and offering special bonuses for restaurant guests.‍

How does inKind support restaurants?

When successful restaurants want to expand or invest, they usually turn to conventional banks for loans.

The genius of inKind's model is that they offer restaurateurs the capital they need, but instead of repayment via a high-interest loan, the restaurant provides gift credits to diners on inKind's network. For the restaurant, this ends up being a far better deal than going to a traditional bank, plus inKind lends marketing support to ensure that customers pour into the restaurant's doors.

The end result? Diners get an unbelievable 25% bonus, restaurants get the capital and customers they need to grow, and inKind gets to add more establishments to its coast-to-coast network.

‍Black Restaurateurs and Chefs

With February marking Black History Month, here are some of the top Black-owned restaurants and Black chefs on inKind.

Restaurant: Horn Barbecue
Owner/Chef: Chef Matt Horn
Location: 2534 Mandela Parkway, Oakland, CA 94607
About: Streamlined counter-service barbecue eatery specializing in brisket, pulled pork & sides.

Restaurant: Filé Gumbo Bar
Owner/Chef: Chef Eric McCree
Location: 275 Church Street, New York, NY 10013
About: Filé Gumbo Bar showcases Cajun and Creole classics made bar-side, combining slow-cooked and flavor-rich roux bases with your choice of proteins, simmered in a steam kettle by their chefs for a truly personalized experience.

Restaurant: Bronze
Owner/Chef: Chef Keem Hughely
Location: 1245 H Street NE, Washington D.C., DC 20002
About: Bronze is an innovative hospitality experience serving a globalized menu representative of the travels of Alonzo Bronze, who traded spices, ingredients, and cooking techniques on behalf of Africa and its diasporic colonies.

Restaurant: 1799 Prime
Owner/Chef: Jahmond Quander
Location: 110 S Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
About: 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood is an upscale Steak and Seafood Restaurant located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.

Restaurant: Kowbird
Owner/Chef: Chef Matt Horn
Location: 1733 Peralta St., Oakland, CA 94607
About: Family owned chicken joint made with soul by Chef Matt Horn.

Restaurant: Kann
Owner/Chef: Chef Gregory Gourdet
Location: 548 SE Ash Street, Portland, OR 97214
About: Haitian cuisine meets Pacific Northwest bounty at kann, a live-fire restaurant from James Beard Award Winning chef Gregory Gourdet.

Female Restaurateurs and Chefs

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March is Women's History Month and March 8th is International Women's Day: a great time to support female-owned restaurants and eateries.

Restaurant: The Bungalow Huntington Beach
Owner/Chef: Co-Owner Jen Rosero
Location: 21058 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
About: Light eats & cocktails in a rustic-chic cottage setting with multiple bars, a patio & ocean views.

Restaurant: Cindy Lou’s Cookies
Owner/Chef: Head Baker Cindy Kruse
Location: 435 W 31st St, New York, NY 10001
About: A classic all-American cookie shop specializing in big, old fashioned seriously delicious cookies. "It's not just a cookie, it's an experience".

Restaurant: Nat’s on Bank
Owner/Chef: Owner Natalie Freihon
Location: 51 Bank Street, New York, NY 10014
About: Stylish New American restaurant offering sharing plates, a raw bar & cocktails, plus weekend brunch.

‍Restaurant: Black Seed Bagels
Owner/Chef: Executive Chef Dianna Daoheung
Location: Multiple
About: Black Seed combines the best of Montreal and NYC style bagel baking techniques.

Restaurant: Musket Room
Owner/Chef: Head Chef - Mary Attea
Location: 265 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012
About: Musket Room is a celebrated neighborhood restaurant offering a reliably indulgent experience, whether a special occasion or enjoying dinner with friends.‍

Restaurant: Le Bon Nosh
Owner/Chef: Owner Forough Vakili
Location: 65 Irby Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
About: Le Bon Nosh is a restaurant & market in Atlanta, GA, serving simple, ingredient-driven food that celebrates the beauty of eating with the seasons.

How does inKind work on Goody?

On Goody, you can gift inKind Passes ranging from $25 - $500. Your recipient gets a 25% bonus to spend, on top of whatever price you choose. After your recipient accepts your Goody, a gift card will be delivered to their inbox within 24 hours. The inKind Pass can be used across all inKind partner restaurants nationwide. Venues include restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries, wineries, nightlife venues and more. Think of it as your new digital dining wallet.

You can view all locations on their digital map here. Note that their restaurant network is particularly strong in New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, and their hometown of Austin, Texas.