Let's take a look
My insidename Amanda'sis andAmanda. meetI'm the team.Founder,founder Amandaof Amanda's WestRestaurants.

As my friends know, I've never had a hard time starting the day out right. I get up early (you don't want to know how early), sometimes have a snack, go for a run or yoga class, and have a healthy fruit or veggie juice smoothie. But after that, my wholesome day can fall apart. Running around from meeting to meeting, I want to eat well, but usually find myself snacking on muffins, vending machine items, or going to In-N-Out Burger for lunch or dinner. IIt's havehard rarelyto foundfind a trustworthy place where I can buy a crave-able meal that tastes great and energizes me.

I realized that thebelieve restpeople ofacross thisthe country facesface the same problem daily. After watching the film Super Size Me and reading the book Fast Food Nation, I decidedbecame thatobsessed Iwith neededcreating tothe createsolution the-- solution...somethingsomething that addresses the fact that most of us crave hamburgers and Frenchfrench Fries,fries, but we often feel bad physically and emotionally after eating them. My idea for a new kind of restaurant was spurred on by the film Super Size Me and the book Fast Food Nation. We clearly need something that has that "Feel Good Fast Food" feeling - food that is delicious, quick, convenient, fun, and familiar, and when Amanda's opens we will have it!

I read Tom Chappel,,'s book in college (he's the founder of Tom's of Maine, the personal care products company, is another one of my inspirations for this restaurant business. I read his book in collegecompany), and knew that I would someday follow his path to lead a company that respected the environment and the employees. I'm thrilled that I now have the opportunity to do this by creating a terrific workplace and adopting sustainable practices.

WhileI'm growinglucky upto myhave parents inspired me to sharewho healthhave withalso others.inspired Notme.Not only are they the bright people who came up with this restaurant name, they also raised me to be healthy.healthy and share health with others. My mom taught me to cook simple, healthy meals and to use sugar, butter, and salt sparingly - "no sugar cereals".sparingly. My dad set an example for daily exercisingexercise even while running a business, and my stepmom isshowed myme rolethe modelvalue forof level-headedness.

I want to help make the world well through goodgreat tasting, quick food and a healthy community. I hope you will join the Amanda's community. Please start by contributing to our marketing plan.plan. Once we open, come have a veggie burger or salad, tell your friends, and perhaps even share your wellness learnings with our customers.

Intern, Lauren Bass
Amanda volunteering on Earth Day
Amanda's team volunteering on Earth Day
Amanda and Lauren Bass (intern) at the future Amanda's site
Amanda's new landlords
Celebrating the lease signing