Healthy Acquisitions, Inc., which owns controlling interest of the award-winning fast-casual restaurant franchise UFood Grill, has named former Boston Celtics player and coach M.L. Carr as a board member.

"We're thrilled to have the involvement of a Boston legend on our team where UFood Grill is headquartered," said Sal Rincione, senior vice president of Healthy Acquisitions and CEO of UFood Grill. "M.L. Carr has not only been a pioneer in professional sports, but also in the business world. And his influence speaks volumes as we continue to redefine fast-casual dining and expand the UFood Grill franchise network across the U.S."

Well-known for his 11-year career as a player in the ABA and NBA, Carr celebrated two world championships with the Boston Celtics and later served as the head coach for the team. In 2004, he became a minority owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats. Carr has served on several boards, including CBS affiliate Channel 7/Boston, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., and Guilford College.

Today, he has expanded on his success as a prominent entrepreneur and businessman and is now a partner with New Technology Ventures, a private equity/venture capital firm, and dSide Technologies.

A strong advocate of health and fitness, Carr became an admirer of the UFood Grill concept as an important answer to the general public's growing need for healthier dining options.

"I love the concept, and I love the food," Carr said. "Our communities are at a crossroads, and it's an exciting time to join the board of Healthy Acquisitions and create a better future with UFood Grill. It's not only an incredible business opportunity for franchise owners, but it will expand to be a destination of choice where guests can feel good about what they are eating."

The UFood Grill menu includes all-natural chicken, grass-fed beef, turkey and veggie burgers, unfries, steak tips, wraps, bowls, salads and paninis prepared fresh using natural and organic ingredients, whole grains, light cheeses, and freshly-made dressings. Meals are low in calories, fat and sodium and are made to order. Nothing is ever fried. Beverages include real fruit smoothies and specialty teas. Created in a better-for-you way, UFood Grill is transforming the industry one healthy meal at a time.

UFood Grill currently has 16 locations open across the U.S. and several more in development to open this year. The company recently unveiled a new prototype for traditional in-line retail sites with plans to expand the chain to more than 100 locations over the next four years. For franchise details, visit http://www.ufoodgrill.com/own-a-grill/.

The company was named a Top Up And Coming Food Franchise by Franchise Business Review in 2015 and is targeting experienced restaurant operators and multi-unit franchise owners for franchise development. More information about UFood Grill franchise opportunities is available at ufoodgrill.com/own-a-grill/.mailto:[email protected]

About UFood Grill

Headquartered in Boston, Mass., UFood Grill is a franchisor of fast-casual food service restaurants, offering consumers a better-for-you menu to meet the growing demand for healthy options made with fresh ingredients that taste great. Known as the place where "delicious meets nutritious," UFood Grill offers traditional and non-traditional restaurant designs to franchisees for expansion across the U.S. More information is available at ufoodgrill.com.