NAYA x The Hungry Gnome
The Scoop
August 04, 2026 10:30 AM
NAYA Adds THE HUNGRY GNOME's Best-Selling Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie, Right-sized for Lunch
New York Times best-selling baker Chef Danielle Sepsy's cookie arrives at all 48 NAYA locations on Monday, August 4th, National Chocolate Chip Cookie
NEW YORK, NY (July 28, 2026) – NAYA, the Middle Eastern fast casual brand serving fresh, customizable meals rooted in Lebanese tradition since 2008, is partnering with The Hungry Gnome, the New York bakery founded by Chef Danielle Sepsy, to bring one of the bakery's best-selling cookies to all 48 NAYA locations. The Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie arrives on Tuesday, August 4th, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day.
A Best-Seller, Rightsized
The recipe is the one Sepsy's customers already line up for: chewy in the middle, crisp at the edges, packed with semi-sweet chocolate, and finished with Maldon flake sea salt for the salty sweet balance the bakery is known for. The only change is the size. For NAYA, Sepsy created the perfect two-ounce cookie, right-sized to have just the perfect amount of sweetness after lunch, and the first time the bakery has produced this size in a wholesale capacity.
“We have always been careful about who we put our name next to,” said Hady Kfoury, Founder and CEO of NAYA. “Danielle built The Hungry Gnome the way we built NAYA, one New York neighborhood at a time, and you can taste that in this cookie. We are excited to offer this new sweet treat to our guests in all our 48 locations.”
Two New York Small Businesses
The collaboration pairs two New York businesses that have grown well past their first kitchens while keeping the feel of a small one. Sepsy started selling scones to friends, neighbors, and local cafes at age 13 and now supplies hundreds of wholesale accounts across the city from her Long Island City bakery. NAYA opened its first location in Midtown Manhattan in 2008 and now operates 48 locations across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
“NAYA's food is flavorful and dynamic, and I feel nourished and energized after I eat it,” said Chef Danielle Sepsy, Founder of The Hungry Gnome. “We are excited to give NAYA guests a little sweet treat to end their meal. The Sea Salt Chocolate Chip is one of our best-selling cookies, and this is the perfect size for a little afternoon treat.”
The y. is available at all 48 NAYA locations – in store, third party app and catering - beginning Monday, August 4th, priced at $2.99 in store and $3.56 Thirty Party App.
About NAYA
NAYA is a Middle Eastern-inspired fast-casual brand dedicated to providing fresh, healthy, and flavorful dining options. With a commitment to quality ingredients and authentic flavors, NAYA offers a menu that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of the Middle East. From customizable bowls and wraps to a variety of mezze, NAYA aims to deliver a dining experience that is both satisfying and wholesome. NAYA earned national recognition as one of Fast Casual Nation’s 2025 Top 100 Movers & Shakers and was featured in Nation’s Restaurant News’ Top 100 Under 100 list of emerging brands. For more information, including the full menu, store hours, and upcoming events, please visit www.eatnaya.com or follow NAYA on social media @eatnaya.
About The Hungry Gnome
The Hungry Gnome is a New York City wholesale bakery founded by Chef Danielle Sepsy, known to her fans as the “Scone Queen.” Danielle started the business at 13 years old, selling scones to friends, neighbors, and local cafés. Today she and her team produce more than 250,000 baked goods a month, stocked in hundreds of the city’s top cafés and markets including Joe Coffee and Birch Coffee, and served 10,000 feet in the air on select JetBlue flights. Danielle starred in all eight episodes of HBO Max’s The Big Brunch with Dan Levy, where she was a finalist and was named a “Fan Favorite” by Thrillist. Her debut cookbook, The Scone Queen Bakes, is a New York Times best seller. She shares her love of baking with more than 350,000 fans across Instagram and TikTok. For more information, visit thehungrygnomeny.com or follow @thehungrygnome and @chefdaniellesepsy.