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Gluten-Free Restaurant Concept Among Finalists in Temple University Competition

April 25, 2011

Gluten-Free Restaurant Concept Among Finalists in Temple University Competition

Student hopes to launch a gluten-free restaurant by winning Be Your Own Boss Bowl.

Temple University junior Shannon O’Lone believes Philadelphia needs an all gluten-free restaurant. And she’s got the plan for it.

A finalist in Temple’s Be Your Own Boss Bowl, Shannon caught judges’ attention with her pitch for Plantae, a restaurant that would meet celiac and gluten-free needs. The annual business plan competition boasts a valuable grand prize, including $70,000 cash, $10,000 in Microsoft products, and $30,000 in professional services. The winner also earns 6 months of incubation space at Temple Small Business Development Center, all with the aim to make their business concept a reality.

The final stage of the competition takes place this Wednesday, April 27 at Temple University’s Fox School of Business. Students, faculty and the public are invited to attend as the finalists present their business plans, followed by an awards ceremony and networking reception.

Shannon was inspired to open a gluten-free restaurant after her best friend, Laura, was diagnosed with celiac disease during their freshman year of college. As part of her exhibit and presentation, Shannon plans to offer gluten-free food samples along with research about gluten-free demand in the restaurant industry. She invites those in the celiac and gluten-free community to attend the presentations and awards ceremony to show support for the gluten-free business venture.

Additional Details:

  • The presentations will be in Temple University’s Fox School of Business Alter Hall. Attendees will need a photo ID to sign in at the desk. When entering from the main entrance (on Liacouras Walk, perpendicular to Montgomery St.), make a right and you will walk into a large open room with a giant stock ticker. The event will be held underneath this stock ticker.
  • Alter Hall is on Montgomery St. (although the entrance is on Liacouras Walk) between Broad & 13th St. There is parking available close by, at the Liacouras Parking Garage at 15th & Cecil B. Moore, parking is $12.
  • The event starts promptly at 1:30, the undergraduate presentations should be completed by 3:20 (followed by networking, and the graduate and social entrepreneurship presentations) and prizes are awarded at 5:40.

To learn more about this competition, visit http://www.fox.temple.edu/iei/

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