Saladworks opening 90 new restaurants in 2021

West Conshohocken, PA  –  Saladworks, the nation’s leading fast-casual salad brand, has partnered with Ghost Kitchen Brands in a deal that will double its footprint across the United States and Canada and better serve its delivery and in-restaurant guests. The recently signed agreement will bring 60 non-traditional locations to the U.S. and 30 to Canada by the end of 2021. Many of these new kitchens will live inside Walmart stores offering some seating, and all locations included in the deal will offer carry-out and third-party delivery.

“Saladworks is a perfect strategic partner for Ghost Kitchen Brands as we continue to grow and reinvent the restaurant industry with our unique restaurant concept,” said George Kottas, Founder and CEO of Ghost Kitchen Brands. “We are excited to include Saladworks’ range of healthy and flavorful options to our customers allowing customizations and combinations with other brands, all in the convenience of one order.”

Saladworks, which is part of the newly formed WOWorks family of brands, currently has around 130 locations in North America. The deal will bring Saladworks into untapped states, including South Carolina, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington, as well as Canadian provinces, including Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. Fellow WOWorks brands, Frutta Bowls and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, have also partnered with Ghost Kitchen Brands for expansion as part of a smaller test agreement.

“We are very excited to have Saladworks included in this growth vertical to bring our healthy, fresh concept to millions of new guests across North America,” said Eric Lavinder, Chief Development Officer for WOWorks. “Ghost kitchens have already proven to be an economical and highly successful expansion tactic for us, and this new deal with Ghost Kitchen Brands will allow us to continue solidifying Saladworks as the leading fast-casual salad brand.”

The impressive deal with Ghost Kitchens marks yet another major milestone for Saladworks in a banner year of growth. After growing by more than 40 restaurant locations in 2020, which included non-traditional retail presences such as universities, ghost kitchens and more, Saladworks’ parent company recently acquired Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek to form WOWorks. The newly formed family of brands share a core DNA designed to meet a growing demand among Millennial families and GenZ guests who crave healthy, nutritious and flavorful dining options with a high level of customization and convenience. In addition to Saladworks, the new WOWorks entity is also expecting significant growth for Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, Frutta Bowls and The Simple Greek in 2021.

Ranked #22 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers in 2020, Saladworks continues to revolutionize the fast-casual space, even after nearly 35 years in business. To learn more about the brand and franchising options, visit www.saladworks.com/franchise.

Source: Restaurant News Release

More food and dining news

• DOJ Says “Big Egg” Price Manipulation Hurt Consumers Nationwide, Including New Jersey
  Trenton, NJ – The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit accusing three of the nation’s largest egg producers of coordinating bidding practices that allegedly drove up egg prices nationwide, a move officials say affected consumers in New Jersey and across the United States. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Iowa,
• World Cup Tipping Culture Shock at Restaurants as Many Foreign Fans Skip Tipping
  Restaurants across New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia are adjusting to an unexpected World Cup challenge as many international visitors, unfamiliar with American tipping customs, leave little or no gratuity for servers. SECAUCUS, NJ – While restaurants anticipated a surge in customers during the FIFA World Cup, many owners say they’ve encountered an unforeseen cultural
• World Cup Promised an Economic Boom. Many Businesses Near MetLife Stadium Say It’s Killing Their Business Instead
  Restaurants, breweries and small businesses near MetLife Stadium say World Cup match days have brought road closures, empty parking lots and fewer customers instead of the surge in business many expected. When FIFA announced that MetLife Stadium would host some of the world’s biggest soccer matches, many businesses surrounding the Meadowlands anticipated weeks of packed
• New Jersey Bill Would Require Folic Acid Fortification in Corn Masa Flour to Combat Birth Defects
  Proposed legislation aims to reduce neural tube defects in Latino communities by mandating folic acid fortification in corn masa flour sold and used throughout New Jersey. A New Jersey lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require corn masa flour sold, distributed, or used in food products throughout the state to be fortified with folic acid,
• Fresh Produce, Local Vendors Return to Windward Beach for Brick Farmers Market This Saturday
  The popular Brick Farmers Market returns to Windward Beach Park on Saturday, offering fresh produce, local foods, artisan goods, and family-friendly shopping along the waterfront. Shoppers looking for fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and locally made products can head to Windward Beach Park this Saturday as the Brick Farmers Market continues its seasonal run. The