天美传媒

A new dining option is coming to with the opening of in the Collins Building caf茅 space.

Keeney鈥檚 Kitchen, known for its healthy, ready-to-eat meals and community-focused approach, is expanding to Ironton as its third location. Founded by Matt Keeney, a former corporate employee turned gym owner, the business began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic when his fitness facility was forced to shut down. With no prior culinary training, Keeney launched a meal prep service from a borrowed restaurant kitchen in Lucasville鈥攁nd quickly grew from zero to 800 meals per week.

鈥淲e finally got licensed and legal in 2022,鈥� said Keeney. 鈥淪ince then, we鈥檝e served more than 500,000 meals and grown to a staff of 40. I never imagined it would grow this way.鈥�

Keeney鈥檚 Kitchen offers a rotating menu of 15 to 20 meal options, with staples including chicken and steak tacos, no-bake protein bites known as 鈥渕uscle bites,鈥� wraps, and burrito bowls. New to the Ironton location will be fresh acai bowls and parfaits, made on site. The caf茅 will also serve hot sandwiches like turkey clubs and ham and cheese melts using the existing kitchen equipment.

The menu is designed with wellness in mind, but not just for athletes.

鈥淲e鈥檙e a health and wellness company on a mission to help local folks feel better,鈥� said Keeney. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 bodybuilder food鈥攊t鈥檚 for busy moms and dads who want nutritious meals without the hassle.鈥�

Students, faculty and staff at Ohio Southern will be able to grab meals on the go or order hot items during daytime hours. Community members can also place weekly online orders for convenient pickup.

鈥淲e鈥檒l have coolers stocked with fresh meals. Someone can walk in, pick up their order in under a minute, and have their lunches and dinners for the week,鈥� Keeney said.

Keeney's Kitchen began operations April 28, and is now open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The business also plans to hire locally, including opportunities for 天美传媒Southern students.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited and blessed to be part of this community,鈥� said Keeney. 鈥淥ur goal is to serve great food and create a workplace that鈥檚 built on love, empathy and leadership.鈥�