News

Washington Wizards star opening Mahana Fresh

Washington Wizards star and entrepreneur Kyle Kuzma is opening Gainesville, Virginia's first Mahana Fresh. Photo: Mahana Fresh

April 16, 2024

Washington Wizards star and entrepreneur Kyle Kuzma is opening Gainesville, Virginia's first Mahana Fresh.

Founded in 2019, by restaurateur Dave Wood, in Sarasota, Florida, Mahana Fresh now has locations in Georgia, Idaho, North Dakota, New Jersey and North Carolina. Wood, the former owner of 20 Domino's pizza stores in Northern Virginia, retired a decade ago and created the brand so he could eat "something that was good for me," according to a company press release.

As an investor in Mahana Fresh, Kuzma will develop, through a master franchisee agreement, up to 50 restaurants across the country with a second location opening this June in Houston, Texas.

The Gainesville restaurant, at 3,000 square feet, has a seating capacity of 60. Designed with a tropical theme, the high-ceilinged, light-filled space is accented in colors of teal and white. In the tropic, Mahana means "like the sun" and the restaurant's decor captures this energetic vibe, according to the release.

Mahana Fresh's gluten-free menu operates on a build-your-own-bowl model with customers selecting a base of rice (basmati blend, coconut or cauliflower), noodles or greens with veggie and protein options to top off the bowl. Gluten-free wraps are available as well as all-GF cookies and brownies. There are no microwaves, freezers or fryers with all items prepared fresh in the restaurant's kitchens.