TikTok star and food critic Keith Lee has made his first restaurant investment, joining Brooklyn Dumpling Shop in Dallas, in a multi-year strategic partnership that will see Lee promote the brand, host pop-ups, and act as a creative and investor partner. The chairman and CEO, Jeff Galletly, said the team always hoped Keith would join, calling the partnership “a dream come true.” 

“I’ve always believed that food brings people together, and that’s what stood out to me about Brooklyn Dumpling Shop,” Lee said in the announcement. “It’s creative, it’s accessible, and it doesn’t cut corners on flavor. Partnering with Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is about more than just great food, it’s about community, culture, and creating experiences people can enjoy and trust. I’m excited to be part of what they’re building and to help introduce even more people to something special.” 

As part of the launch, Lee is scheduled to appear at the brand’s Dallas Deep Ellum location on March 6 for a pop-up where he will serve guests, meet fans, and hand out merchandise to the first 100 people in line. The multi-year agreement aligns the influencer’s massive audience and trust with a fast-growing concept that operates multiple locations and plans further expansion. 

Galletly explained the strategic fit, “When we connected with Keith’s team, it was then a dream come true to learn he loved our food and wanted to make us his first investment. Keith has built his reputation on great food, authenticity, and trust — which is what we’re all about.” The partnership signals a trend of creators turning influence into ownership, leveraging trusted taste-making into equity, and sustained brand collaborations. We truly love to see it!