Fox Entertainment Invests in B.J. Novak’s Chain: A New Era for Nostalgic Dining Experiences

Fox Entertainment has announced its acquisition of an equity stake in Chain, the innovative food experience company co-founded by actor and writer B.J. Novak. This strategic investment signals Fox’s deepening commitment to the culinary entertainment space and opens new avenues for Chain to expand its unique “nostalgic dining” concept through immersive events and media integrations. The deal also includes a first-look development agreement with Chain Media, promising future collaborations that blend food, entertainment, and cultural storytelling.

Understanding Chain’s Unique Concept

Chain, a Los Angeles-based venture, has carved out a distinctive niche by “eventizing nostalgic dining.” The company is celebrated for its ability to transform familiar, beloved fast-food and chain restaurant classics into elevated, often Michelin-starred chef-remixed culinary experiences. Its flagship event, ChainFest, is a ticketed affair in Los Angeles that brings together pop-up restaurants and exclusive menu offerings, inviting attendees to revisit their cherished food memories through a gourmet lens.

Chain’s collaborations extend beyond culinary talent, featuring partnerships with iconic brands such as Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Jack in the Box, and Panda Express, alongside entertainment giants like Paramount and Disney. This approach taps into a broad appeal, offering a fresh perspective on widely recognized food culture. Co-founder B.J. Novak has expressed his belief that chain food is “as worthy of celebration as any other type of cuisine, and it’s high time it got the respect it deserves.” Chef Tim Hollingsworth, another co-founder who worked at The French Laundry, aims for diners to reminisce about their favorite chain foods but experience them in a refined, elevated way.

Strategic Rationale Behind the Acquisition

For Fox Entertainment, this investment in Chain aligns with a broader strategy to bolster its presence in the rapidly evolving food and lifestyle sector. The company aims to leverage Chain’s innovative event model to enhance its digital storytelling and content creation capabilities. Rob Wade, CEO of Fox Entertainment, emphasized this point, stating, “As Fox continues to expand its dominance across the food space, investing in Chain furthers our digital storytelling and content creation strategy with this deep partnership in a winning business model, where viral events advance creative possibilities.”

The acquisition is poised to generate new “experiential dining” opportunities, a growing trend where consumers seek immersive, memorable experiences beyond traditional meals. This trend appeals particularly to younger generations who value unique and shareable moments.

Synergies with Studio Ramsay Global

A key component of this partnership involves integrating Chain’s events with Gordon Ramsay’s Studio Ramsay Global, which also operates under the Fox umbrella. Studio Ramsay Global is a worldwide production venture between Gordon Ramsay and Fox Entertainment, focused on developing and distributing culinary and lifestyle programming. This collaboration will see Fox partnering Chain’s food pop-ups, fan festivals, and other events with Ramsay’s extensive culinary empire.

The plan is to weave Chain into Ramsay’s growing slate of television programming, including popular shows like “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Masterchef.” The goal is for Chain to expand its event portfolio and develop live experiences directly tied to Fox’s culinary properties, creating a synergistic ecosystem where media content and live food events mutually reinforce each other. This integration is expected to “strengthen, scale and deepen our connection to food fans everywhere,” according to Rob Wade.

A Look at Chain’s Leadership and Vision

Chain was founded by B.J. Novak, along with producers and entrepreneurs Jack Davis, Abe Burns, and Byron Ashley. Michelin-starred chef Timothy Hollingsworth serves as a co-founder and is instrumental in the culinary direction, while Nicholas Kraft is the chief creative officer. The vision behind Chain, as articulated by Novak, is that “Food continues to define culture — it’s how we celebrate, how we remember, how we connect.” He noted his excitement to work with Fox and Studio Ramsay Global “to bring Chain experiences to more people.”

More recently, Chrissy Teigen also joined Chain as a strategic investor and advisor, further highlighting the company’s appeal to prominent figures in culture and cuisine.

Future Outlook and Potential

The investment by Fox Entertainment is expected to significantly accelerate Chain’s growth, allowing it to reach a wider audience and explore new formats for its experiential dining. The combination of Fox’s media reach, Studio Ramsay Global’s culinary expertise, and Chain’s innovative concept could lead to a variety of new offerings, from televised culinary events to expanded festivals and unique dining pop-ups across different markets. This partnership underscores a growing trend in the entertainment industry to diversify revenue streams and engage audiences through immersive, real-world experiences that complement traditional media content.

The future could see Chain-branded culinary specials, interactive digital content, and even permanent experiential dining locations, all leveraging the power of nostalgia and elevated cuisine under the Fox Entertainment banner.