Reggie Jackson goes to bat for SoupManReggie Jackson goes to bat for SoupMan

NEW YORK Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson has extended his involvement with the Original SoupMan chain to include an executive role with franchisor Soup Kitchen International: senior vice president of strategic business relationships.

Jackson has been an investor in the concept since its launch, according to Soup Kitchen. In addition to shouldering his new responsibilities, the former Yankee slugger will continue in his role as chairman of an affiliated charity, Al Yeganeh’s Feed the Hungry Foundation.

“We welcome his business savvy and significant scope of influence to the SoupMan management team,” Soup Kitchen president Robert Bertrand said in a statement.

Yeganeh launched Original SoupMan after being depicted in an episode of the “Seinfeld” sitcom as the Soup Nazi, a tyrannical but gifted soup maker. He has sold his soup in New York City since 1984.

The concept has grown to 32 franchised locations in 11 states in large part through relationships with other foodservice brands, including the Cold Stone Creamery ice cream chain and contract-feeding giant Sodexho Inc.