2009-2010
INSPIRATION STRIKES
Co-founders and family members Jordan Brown, Jason Karp, & Jessica Karp find inspiration from early health & wellness pioneers and thought-leaders, Dr. Mark Hyman and primal diet legend, Mark Sisson. Jordan sees an opportunity in the restaurant industry and pitches a new paleo/primal food concept to his brother-in-law, Jason, to create a brand that sets a new standard of quality.
2011
IDEA BECOMES REALITY
A lease is signed on what is now the Hu flagship location, and construction begins. The founders get to work on bringing the brand to life.
2012
HU DEVELOPS ITS OWN UNIQUE CHOCOLATE
While developing the Hu Kitchen menu and strict ingredient "guardrails," the co-founders struggle finding a delicious chocolate that meets the restaurant’s ingredient rules. So, they decide to develop their own delicious chocolate that is paleo, vegan, and easy to bake with.
SEPT 2012
THE FLAGSHIP OPENS
Hu’s flagship restaurant opens its doors in Greenwich Village. Hu Kitchen's strictly-vetted, simple ingredients and paleo-inspired comfort food become a hit with the neighborhood.
2013
HU CHOCOLATE LAUNCHES
Hu Chocolate launches out of Jordan's apartment. In March 2013, it is on the shelves of its first store outside of Hu Kitchen – Whole Foods Columbus Circle. By the end of the year, Jordan is hand-delivering Hu chocolate to 38 stores out of a wheelie suitcase.
2015-2016
HU CHOCOLATE SCALES UP
Jessica and Jordan do their first trade show for Hu Chocolate – Expo West 2015. Production goes through its first scale-up to serve over 400 stores by the end of 2016 with 4 employees.
2017-2018
GROWING THE TEAM
Hu Chocolate continues to grow in 2017, and a team of 5 employees moves out of Jordan's apartment and into the first Hu office. By the end of 2018, Hu Chocolate is in roughly 3,000 stores with a team of 15 people.
2019
FURTHER EXPANSION INTO SNACKING
Hu expands further into the snacking category with the launch of Hunks, Gems, and its first savory product – Grain-Free Crackers. By the end of 2019, Hu has a team of 25!
2021
HU LAUNCHES IN THE UK
You asked, we listened. Hu goes global, with the launch of our best selling chocolate bars in the UK!