Yay Lunch

About Yay Lunch

Yay Lunch operates a tech-enabled platform that provides custom meal solutions for schools, managing everything from menu creation with local food partners to delivery and customer service. The company offers several dining models, including pre-ordered lunches from local restaurants, modern pop-up cafeterias known as 'Yay Cafes', and grab-and-go marketplaces. It aims to simplify the school lunch process for both parents and school administrators by handling logistics like ordering, payments, and communications.

The company was co-founded in 2018 by Christina Liva Diiorio (CEO) and Derek Mansfield (COO). Diiorio, a mother of three with a background in the food industry, started the company out of frustration with the lack of quality lunch options for her children. Mansfield's background includes roles at Relay Foods and Boston Consulting Group. The company launched its pilot program in the spring of 2018. By late 2021, Yay Lunch had expanded to serve over 100 schools across markets like Washington D.C., Baltimore, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. The business model is primarily B2B2C, partnering with schools to offer lunch programs to parents and students. It generates revenue through the sale of these meals. While it partners with local restaurants and chefs, the model differs from federal programs like the NSLP, positioning it as a service for private and other schools not reliant on such reimbursements.

The company has secured significant venture capital funding to support its growth. In November 2021, Yay Lunch closed a $12 million Series A round led by Valor Siren Ventures, bringing its total funding at the time to $15.5 million. Other investors include Animo Ventures, Reach Capital, and Pritzker Group. Pitchbook data indicates a total of $23M has been raised.