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Andrew Benin

CEO / Co-founder at Graza

Andrew Benin, Co-founder and CEO of Graza

Andrew Benin is the co-founder and CEO of Graza, a Brooklyn-based olive oil company that has seen rapid growth since its launch in 2022. Benin, a 31-year-old first-generation American, founded Graza after a trip to Spain where he tasted high-quality, freshly pressed olive oil and was inspired to share it with others.13

Career Background

  • Graduated from Binghamton University in 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in International Business and Management2
  • Worked at various startups including Warby Parker, Casper, Oura, and Magic Spoon prior to founding Graza2
  • Staged at Michelin star restaurant Gramercy Tavern in 2018 which further fueled his passion for food1

Founding Graza

  • Benin brought freshly pressed Spanish olive oil back to New York and shared it with chef Michael Anthony, who suggested making it accessible to more people1
  • Graza was founded in October 2020 with the mission of providing high-quality olive oil at an affordable price point1
  • The company uses Picual olives grown in Jaén, Spain and packages the oil in distinctive green squeeze bottles13

Graza's Success

  • Graza launched in January 2022 and sold out of inventory within a day1
  • By 2024, Graza is projected to exceed $48 million in total gross sales1
  • The company is now available in over 3,000 stores across the U.S. in addition to online sales3

Benin's innovative approach to packaging and marketing has helped make Graza a standout brand in the olive oil industry. With a focus on quality, affordability, and accessibility, Graza has found success in a relatively short period of time under Benin's leadership.

Highlights

How Graza Olive Oil co-founder Andrew Benin built the business
How Graza Olive Oil co-founder Andrew Benin built the business
31-year-old built a company that could bring in $48 million this year—all due to olive oil - CNBC
31-year-old built a company that could bring in $48 million this year—all due to olive oil - CNBC
Interview with Graza co-founder, Andrew Benin : r/oliveoil - Reddit
Andrew Benin, co-founder, Graza - by Brianna Plaza
Andrew Benin, co-founder, Graza - by Brianna Plaza
Making olive oil cool—behind Graza founder's unorthodox approach
Making olive oil cool—behind Graza founder's unorthodox approach
Graza Co-Founder Andrew Benin Is on A Roll - Olive Oil Times
Graza Co-Founder Andrew Benin Is on A Roll - Olive Oil Times
The hottest drama on LinkedIn is a fight about olive oil bottle design - Fast Company
Andrew Benin
Andrew Benin, photo 1
Andrew Benin, photo 2
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Experience

CEO / Co-founder at Graza since November 2020
Head of Special Projects at Magic Spoon, Consultant at Oura, Various roles at Casper including Project Manager: Global Operations Strategy and Special Projects Lead, Retail Expansion at Warby Parker, Business Development Summer Associate at Viacom

Education

AACI Global Education Buenos Aires Campus, International Business/Trade/Commerce, 2013; Binghamton University - School of Management, Bachelor of Science (BS) in International Business/ Management, 2010 - 2013

Location

United States