| Rod Silva | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1972 (age 52–53) Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Muscle Maker Grill |
| Political party | Nutrition Party |
Rod Silva (born c. 1972) is an American restaurateur. He was the nominee of the Nutrition Party, which he created for the 2016 United States presidential election.
Biography
Silva was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Brazilian immigrants. Silva founded the Muscle Maker Grill restaurant in 1995 to provide healthy alternatives to fast food. The fast casual chain became a franchised brand in 2007.
In 2015, the Muscle Maker Grill chain was acquired by an affiliate of American Restaurant Holdings Inc. At the time, the chain was reported to have 55 restaurants. Silva remained associated with the restaurant chain after the sale as director of brand development.
Silva appeared on an episode of the reality television series Undercover Boss in January 2016, in which American Restaurant Holdings chairman Tim Betts posed as a new employee of Muscle Maker Grill. Silva did not go undercover in the episode himself; instead, he gave Betts advice through an earpiece.
Presidential campaign
A resident of Piscataway, New Jersey, Silva filed a statement of candidacy for President of the United States on October 20, 2015. According to his campaign website, his platform "will be heavily focused on first addressing serious issues taking place at home here in America, like the increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, cholesterol and other health-related complications – all resulting from poor eating choices."
Silva's presidential campaign achieved ballot status for 2016 in Colorado only. His vice presidential running mate was his brother Richard Silva, a doctor from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to unofficial results released by the Colorado Secretary of State, Silva received 751 votes for president in the state.
References
- ^ Silva, Rod (2015-10-20). "FEC Form 2: Statement of Candidacy" (PDF). fec.gov. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
- ^ Freedlander, David (2016-09-17). "A manly, muscular business pioneer is running for president — but wait, no, not that one". Salon. Retrieved 2016-12-03.
- ^ Silva, Rod. "My fellow Americans". Rod Silva for President 2016. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
- Ferreira, Leonardo (2015-11-09). "Filho de brasileiros em New Jersey é candidato a presidente dos EUA". Brazilian Voice (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2015-12-26. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- Reysen, Jamie (2015-11-03). "Muscle Maker Grill founder Rod Silva enters presidential race, pledges to 'make America healthy again'". AM New York. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- Crouch, Sudie (2015-10-23). "Muscle Maker Grill Promotes Morgan To President And CEO". Shelby Food Service. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- Hughes, Paul (2015-01-28). "Restaurant Firm Buys 55-Unit Chain". Orange County Business Journal. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- Jennings, Lisa (2015-07-06). "Muscle Maker Grill eyes growth in California". Nation's Restaurant News. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- ^ Verdon, Joan (2016-01-08). "Muscle Maker featured on 'Undercover Boss'". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
- Luna, Nancy (2016-01-07). "Undercover boss: Irvine restaurant CEO tries out at his fast food company". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
- Winger, Richard (2015-12-22). "Nutrition Party Announces Presidential Candidate, and Qualifies Him for Colorado Ballot". Ballot Access News. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
- "Presidential Candidate Ballot Access by State". The Green Papers: 2016 General Election. Retrieved 2016-12-03.
- "Colorado Election Results". Retrieved 2016-12-03.