Jesse and Ben’s Seasoned Fries Achieve National Distribution with KeHE

D.C.-based fry brand Jesse and Ben’s, an emerging frozen food company in Union Kitchen's Accelerator, has announced a major milestone: the national launch of its Seasoned Fries through KeHE, one of the leading distributors of natural, organic, and specialty products in the United States.

This partnership with KeHE marks a critical step forward for Jesse and Ben’s as they continue to scale from a beloved local brand to a household name. Known for its commitment to clean ingredients, exceptional flavor, and vertically integrated operations, Jesse and Ben’s is primed to meet growing consumer demand for better-for-you comfort food.

Founded by Jesse Konig and Ben Johnson, the team behind Swizzler—an acclaimed D.C. food truck and brick-and-mortar burger concept—Jesse and Ben’s was born out of years of direct engagement with customers. As college friends at Wake Forest University, the duo launched Swizzler in 2014 with a simple mission: elevate fast food using real ingredients and transparent sourcing.

Over the years, Jesse and Ben listened to thousands of customers. One item always stood out: their signature fries. That insight led them to create Jesse and Ben’s, with a focus on crafting frozen fries that deliver restaurant-quality flavor and texture from the comfort of home. Available in Sea Salt, Rosemary Garlic, and Chesapeake Bay seasoning, the fries are made from Idaho potatoes and are entirely free of preservatives and artificial additives.

“We believe fast food can be a force for good,” said co-founder Jesse Konig. “Our goal is to share the joys of comfort food while raising the bar for ingredient transparency, sourcing, and sustainability.”

Jesse and Ben’s is a model of what Union Kitchen calls the full-stack food founder—a brand that owns its manufacturing, controls quality, and builds for scale from day one. With Union Kitchen’s guidance, Jesse and Ben’s has developed its own production capabilities and navigated key go-to-market strategies, including branding, pricing, logistics, and retailer engagement.

By partnering with KeHE, Jesse and Ben’s gains access to a national distribution network that serves over 30,000 retail locations, including natural grocers, regional chains, and independent stores. This positions the company for strategic growth in 2025 and beyond, reaching new consumers looking for premium frozen food options.

For food entrepreneurs currently selling at farmers markets or managing early retail accounts, Jesse and Ben’s is a compelling case study in what’s possible when you pair strong product-market fit with a scalable business infrastructure. The company’s success reflects a core tenet of the Accelerator: helping founders build not just products, but businesses that are ready for national shelves.

Delicious, clean, and built to scale—Jesse and Ben’s Seasoned Fries are now available nationwide.