Ray Allen experienced firsthand how challenges spark innovation. It all began with what seemed like a harmless scene beneath the kitchen table. Back in November 2008, Ray and his wife, Shannon, caught their son, Walker, sneaking a few M&M’s. Harmless, right? Not quite. “I don’t know how he got them, but his blood-sugar level went through the roof,” Ray recalled. That scary moment turned out to be the start of a journey that would change everything.

The 10x All-Star and 2x NBA Champion is known worldwide for his silky smooth jump shot, but now Ray Allen is all about organic greens and fresh fruit smoothies. After that M&M scare with his son Walker, doctors stressed the need for strict discipline and healthier habits. That wake-up call led Ray to co-found GROWN in 2016. It was Miami’s first organic fast-food drive-thru.

At their nine-year mark, Ray and his wife, Shannon, are ready to celebrate a huge milestone—their organic fast-food joint is expanding! Ray shared the exciting news on Instagram:

“We’re FRANCHISING! 🌱 Nine years ago, we stepped out on faith together, believing in the power of organic fast food to change busy people’s lives. Providing ‘real food, cooked slow, for fast people’—delicious, single-ingredient meals made with organic ingredients and the convenience of a #drivethru—has been an unbelievable journey!… We’ve assembled a team of some of the smartest minds in food and franchising to support our goal and we couldn’t be more excited to continue to share our grown mission with your family and the world… We are so excited and grateful for the privilege of taking this next step on our journey with you—let’s GROW!”

With the organic fast food industry valued at $182.5 billion in 2023, this expansion couldn’t come at a better time. Shannon Allen put it perfectly back in 2016: “I had an aha moment where I realized I couldn’t sit around helpless waiting for someone else to create a fast-food option that met our family’s dietary needs, and as we did our research it became obvious that this wasn’t a struggle unique to us, families everywhere are looking for convenience without compromise.” That moment sparked GROWN—the first restaurant of its kind where healthy meets fast and real food takes center stage.

GROWN’s footprint spans beyond its drive-thru: a rooftop garden grows herbs, recycled barn wood accentuates its façade, and plantable packaging underscores its eco-commitment—all items priced between $4 and $18, as reported by Business Insider in 2016. It’s convenience, health, and sustainability—all rolled into one.

Ray Allen went from chasing NBA titles to fighting for his son Walker’s life

It’s wild to think how far Walker Allen has come—from a terrifying diagnosis at just 17 months old to now walking across a graduation stage and playing basketball like the fighter he’s always been. In 2008, doctors delivered the news: 17-month-old Walker had type 1 diabetes and a blood sugar of 639 mg/dL—five times the safe levels. That all happened during the 2008 NBA Finals, while Ray was chasing a championship with the Celtics. But in that moment, basketball couldn’t have meant less. His son’s life was hanging by a thread.

Walker was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune disease where the pancreas stops producing insulin. It’s relentless. Every single day, every hour, every meal, every drop of juice—everything has to be monitored. And it never takes a break. Ray and Shannon Allen had to learn fast. From 10 finger pricks a day to up to seven insulin shots, from math equations before every snack to waking up every two hours at night just to check that Walker’s blood sugar hadn’t crashed in his sleep.

Fast forward to now, and that same kid who used to say “OK, in butt” when it was time for his shot is not just managing diabetes—he’s owning it. The 18-year-old Walker recently graduated, and Ray couldn’t hold back his pride. “Congratulations, @_walkerallen4 🎓👏 From that challenging day in 2008 to this incredible milestone—your journey has been nothing short of inspiring,” he wrote. The kid who once needed life-saving insulin during the NBA Finals is now dribbling down courts, making his own shots. He is a high-IQ point guard who’s already joined Hotchkiss as part of the class of 2026.

The Allens haven’t just kept this fight private. They’ve spoken out before Congress, walked for a cure, and rallied for families like theirs. “We’re the ‘walk for Walker’ type,” Ray said. And just like they built their fast food chain with purpose, they’ve poured that same heart into this mission. A cure is still the dream, but Walker’s already a win.