Kith Founder Ronnie Fieg Expands Culinary Empire with "Ronnie's Pronto"
Roger EbertPulitzer Prize-winning film critic whose reviews and essays defined cinema criticism for decades.
Ronnie Fieg, the creative force driving the luxury streetwear brand Kith, is continuing to broaden his entrepreneurial horizons by delving deeper into the culinary world. Known for his keen aesthetic and successful collaborations, Fieg is now introducing "Ronnie's Pronto," a new grab-and-go eatery in West Hollywood. This latest venture expands on his existing food concepts, aiming to infuse the Kith brand's distinctive appeal into the dining experience, particularly through elevated interpretations of classic New York-style sandwiches. This strategic expansion underscores Fieg's overarching vision of developing a multifaceted lifestyle empire that transcends fashion into various cultural domains.
Fieg's journey from a stockroom employee to the head of a global retail powerhouse is marked by a consistent drive for innovation and a refusal to be constrained by conventional boundaries. His initial foray into the food sector was with "Treats," in-house eateries within Kith stores offering cereal and ice cream, which became popular hangouts. More recently, he established "Ronnie's," a stylized diner adjacent to Kith's London location. This diner features a unique menu, including gourmet twists on comfort food, such as matzoh ball soup with caramelized onions and Italian chicken broth, showcasing Fieg's inventive approach to traditional dishes.
The latest addition, "Ronnie's Pronto," located at the rear of Kith's newest boutique in West Hollywood, is dedicated to perfecting the art of the sandwich. Fieg emphasizes that these offerings are not merely imitations but entirely new creations inspired by New York classics. He meticulously developed each sandwich, citing his Reuben, made with Australian wagyu pastrami on a Kaiser roll, as an example of the extensive refinement process. The menu also includes inventive items like a branzino fish sandwich, a grilled cheese featuring Japanese milk bread, and a standout breaded chicken cutlet with piccata mustard relish on a hero roll.
Despite the inherent challenges and comparatively slimmer profit margins in the food industry, Fieg remains undeterred. As the owner of a privately held company, he enjoys the freedom to pursue projects driven by passion rather than solely by financial metrics. He believes that the success cultivated in his primary fashion business will eventually translate to his culinary endeavors, including the planned expansion of "Ronnie's Pronto" to additional locations, potentially independent of the Kith brand. This commitment to pursuing his diverse interests reflects a broader strategy of 'world-building,' where each new venture contributes to a comprehensive lifestyle experience curated by Fieg's distinct vision.

