Fast-Casual Franchises Don’t Have to be Unhealthy. Here’s a Look at the Top Salad Franchises and Their Benefits.
Eating out can sometimes seem like an exercise in picking the least unhealthy option on a menu of high-caloric burgers, pizza, and sugary carbonated drinks. But thankfully, there are more and more fast-casual franchises that cater to people who want healthier, cleaner options. While traditional salad bar franchises have been on the fast-casual scene for some time, more innovative brands have arrived. Although the popular Sweetgreen and Chopt salad brands do not offer franchise opportunities, investors can find a number of salad franchises with the same healthy and fun vibe.
Salad franchise owners benefit from multiple revenue streams, like online ordering and catering options, and have the advantage of lower startup costs than most traditional fast-food restaurants. But is owning a salad franchise for you? Here is a look at 10 of the best salad franchises and their benefits.
Best Salad Franchises
Coolgreens
The Coolgreens salad franchise is a fast-casual brand that serves wraps, grain bowls, sandwiches, and salads. The salad franchise’s mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle while serving flavorful options to enhance the fast-casual dining experience. Investors have three ways to franchise with the salad brand: 1. a brick-and-mortar location; 2. catering services, third-party delivery partnerships and a mobile app; 3. Coolgreens Market smart fridges that can be placed in hospitals, busy office buildings, and complexes. The ideal Coolgreens site is between 1800-2400 sq. ft. End caps with patio space are preferred, and the restaurant should be located near fitness centers and big box retailers. Your initial investment is between $205,000 – $478,600.
The Big Salad
The Big Salad franchise has a menu full of salads, sandwiches, smoothies, soups, and more. Customers save a dollar when they order a combination meal such as a salad and a sandwich; a salad and soup; and a sandwich and soup. There are more than 17 million ways to customize one of the fast casual brand’s salads or wraps. Franchisees with The Big Salad have an opportunity to own a restaurant at an affordable price and benefit from a simple business model without the need for ovens, cooks, or a large staff. The ideal candidate has strong leadership skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to follow a proven system.
Chop Stop
The Chop Stop franchise was conceived out of a need for a good chopped salad with few places to buy them. Customers can’t get enough of the salad franchise’s signature chops. These include the buffalo chicken chop, which is topped with buffalo ranch dressing, tomatoes, roasted chicken, crispy onions, carrots, and celery; and the salmon chop, which contains balsamic vinaigrette dressing, cilantro, tomatoes, grilled salmon, red cabbage, cucumber, and crispy onions. Honorably discharged, full-time veterans are incentivized to invest in the salad brand with a $10,000 discount off the initial franchise fee. The Chop Stop is a member of the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) VetFran Program.
Saladworks
The Saladworks franchise was established in 1986 by John Scardapane, a former chef turned entrepreneur. The salad franchise’s first location was opened in the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, N.J. Saladworks began franchising in 2001 and has expanded to locations across the U.S. and Canada. Franchise owners benefit from multiple revenue streams and a simple, turnkey model. Saladworks is under the WOWorks umbrella of health-oriented restaurant brands. As a member of the IFA’s VetFran Program, qualified veterans receive a discount of 25% off of the initial franchise fee. The initial investment is between $234,000 to $653,000.
CHOP5 Salad Kitchen
The CHOP5 Salad Kitchen franchise is a fast-casual brand that wants to change the way people perceive and experience healthy food. In addition to salads, the fast-casual brand also sells bowls, wraps, and more. CHOP5 is powered by five business owners who operate over 400 restaurants across the U.S. As a franchisee, you can give back to the community through CHOP5’s Full Bellies campaign. With this initiative, CHOP5 aims to end hunger in communities by donating fresh produce to food pantries for every dish sold. Franchise owners support local teams, organizations, and charities through fundraising. The ideal candidate has prior business ownership or management experience and values a fun, supportive work environment. Qualified candidates have at least $100,000 in cash.
Grabbagreen
Grabbagreen was founded in 2013 by two mothers who wanted to feed their families healthy food on the go. With a menu of whole foods and fresh ingredients, customers can enjoy salads, smoothies, juices, acai bowls, breakfast, and more. The salad brand began franchising in 2015 and joined the Kahala Brands family of quick-service brands in 2018. Franchisees benefit from multiple revenue streams, including catering, gift cards, and a mobile app. Ideal candidates value customer service and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
The Salad House
The Salad House franchise was founded in 2011 by Joey Cioffi in Millburn, N.J., and began franchising in 2017. Cioffi grew up with an entrepreneurial father who immigrated from Italy to the U.S. and opened his own deli in New Jersey. Joey conceived the concept for The Salad House from a desire to offer a family-friendly, fast-casual dining experience. In addition to salads, The Salad House has a menu full of wraps, soups, appetizers, smoothies, sandwiches, and more. The salad franchise has expanded to several locations in New Jersey and is currently looking for franchise owners in the Garden State and New York. Other available territories are Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Franchisees enjoy a simple model and vendor assistance from the franchisor. They also offer guidance through the financing process.
Green Leaf’s Beyond Great Salads
The Green Leaf’s Beyond Great Salads franchise was founded in 1976 and offers customers a “Pick & Mix” salad bar. In addition to made-to-order tossed salads, other menu items include wraps, grilled Panini sandwiches, and homemade soups. The salad brand’s locations are franchised by Villa Restaurant Group, a restaurant franchising corporation. Franchise owners receive support and training at Villa University, where they’ll learn everything necessary to run the salad franchise. The salad franchise works with E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa candidates.
Salad Station
The Salad Station franchise serves farm-fresh gourmet ingredients in its salads, which are priced by the pound. Scott Henderson founded the franchise in 2012 with the support of his mother and business partner, Cindy Henderson. Since franchising in 2015, the salad brand has grown to 26 restaurants across the country. Salad Station recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. Scott was drawn to the fast-casual industry due to his southern roots that value faith and family to keep the legacy of his family’s Louisiana farm alive. Franchisees will be attracted to the fact the salad restaurants are closed on Sundays and have low labor costs and a small waste footprint. Salad Station has available opportunities in southern states, including Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Alabama.
Salata
Salata was founded in 2005 as a single salad bar in Houston, Texas. The salad franchise has since grown to more than 86 locations across five states. At Salata, customers have countless ways to customize their salad or wrap, with a dozen dressings and more than 50 toppings. Franchise owners have the opportunity to give back to the community through food education, mental health advocacy, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and lending a helping hand when necessary. The financial requirements for a three-unit-minimum development deal include a $1.5 million net worth and $600,000 in cash.