Andrew Gruel, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, is a food entrepreneur and television personality – he is the Founder of Slapfish Restaurant Group (27 locations), the award-winning food truck turned international brick and mortar, based out of Huntington Beach, CA and currently CEO and founder of American Gravy Restaurant Group which comprises Calico Fishhouse, Big Parm Pizza, Two Birds Chicken, Butterleaf, Lolo’s Tacos and 101 Burger.
Andrew has appeared on multiple television series including his most recent role as a judge on Food Network’s “Chopped Junior” with Megan Markle. He was the Host of FYI Series “Say It To My Face”, as well as a judge on Food Network’s “Food Truck Face Off.” He has made appearances on the TODAY show, Fox News, CNN, NBC Nightly News, PBS, Cooking Channel, and has been featured in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Men’s Health, Food & Wine magazine, USA Today, Entrepreneur and Nation’s Restaurant News. He was named Top 25 Business Executives for Fast Casual magazine as well as featured in Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2017 Power List. In 2013 he was named top 40 under 40 entrepreneurs in Orange County. He and his wife Lauren Gruel were named Pandemic Heroes by Restaurant Business Magazine alongside Guy Fieri and Jose Andres. He is currently the Co-Host of The SoCal Restaurant Show on AM 830 and a regular contributor on various national news channels.
