Our Story
Idealized in Costa Rica.
Melonhead’s humble beginnings can be traced back to the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. Founder Nick Frangipane lives an active lifestyle – regularly practicing jiu-jitsu, surfing, and exercising whenever possible. After traveling around the world, Nick fell in love with the natural high that he experienced upon eating fresh fruits and vegetables picked directly from the Costa Rican countryside.
Researched in Brazil.
The seed had been planted, but Nick didn’t know exactly what aspect of the Costa Rica experience he wanted to bring back home to share with his friends and family. Was it his newfound love of surfing, or just the “Pura Vida” lifestyle? It was only after some additional globetrotting that he realized what he loved most about the places he had visited, especially Brazil: fresh, healthy cuisine, and in particular, Açaí.
Tested in Puerto Rico.
Nick now had the perfect product and knew that he needed to bring it back home to the States, but there was still more work to be done. Nick traveled to tropical locations from Hawaii to Puerto Rico to see how the locals were serving up their own brand of Açaí – learning from the best, but also developing his own unique style.
Made in the U.S.A.
Upon concluding the international leg of his journey for the perfect superfood, Nick took some time to see how his fellow countrymen had fared in delivering Açaí to the masses, and was happy to find that the vibe was spreading from San Diego all the way to Montauk. Nick finally felt that his ideas, research, and planning had been validated. It was time for Melonhead to become a reality.
Expanding the Team.
After establishing a track record of proven success with Melonhead’s flagship location in Sea Bright, New Jersey, Nick determined that it was time to expand the brand. As a first step, he reached out to fellow entrepreneur, Jim Whelan, a successful local businessman who had shown interest in joining the brand years prior. The two entrepreneurs decided to team up, bringing together their ideas, individual skill sets, and passions for healthy living to support Melonhead’s rapid expansion. They’ve since developed a long-term franchise plan and are determined to bring fresh flavors and the “Pura Vida” vibe to a town near you!
Meet the Team.
Nick Frangipane
Founder
Jim Whelan
Owner