Saladworks


Saladworks, LLC is a restaurant franchise that serves made-to-order entrée salads, wraps, soups, and sandwiches. Saladworks restaurants are categorized as fast casual, and the company markets its menu as a healthy alternative to other fast food fare. The franchise currently operates 150 restaurant locations in 22 states and is developing locations internationally. It continues to develop exclusively through its Multiple Unit Development approach, focusing on development in metropolitan areas throughout the United States. The restaurant chain also has stores in Canada.

History

Saladworks was founded on October 1, 1986, by John Scardapane, who served as the company's CEO until 2015. and Gail Scardapane, who served as the company’s Head of Brand and VP Brand Marketing and Public Relations.
The first Saladworks opened in the Cherry Hill Mall, the success of which inspired the opening of 12 additional locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Saladworks began franchising in 2001, and by 2007 had 88 locations in eight states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Florida, and Illinois. Today, the franchise operates over 150 restaurant locations in 24 states and has announced plans to expand into new markets in the United States and internationally.
Saladworks was acquired by Centre Lane Partners in June 2015, and promoted Saladworks president Paul Steck to CEO, replacing founder John Scardapane.

Restaurant redesign

In October 2008, Saladworks began a major branding change, unveiling a new design prototype. Existing restaurants that have adopted the new design, as well as all new Saladworks locations built around the new design, have been dubbed “3G Restaurants” by the company. Changes include refrigerated salad display cases, the omission of menu boards, diffused artificial lighting to emulate daylight entering through skylights, and a higher level of design consistency across all Saladworks locations.

Programs

Signature Series

In January 2008, Saladworks launched its Signature Series, which had four celebrity chefs creating a line of seasonal salads.

True Nutrition

To increase the nutritional values of its menu and ensure all pre-made signature salads averaged less than 500 calories, Saladworks unveiled True Nutrition in April 2010, a new menu with over 50 salad ingredients such as avocado, edamame, and chick peas.

Industry ranking

In 2012 Entrepreneur Magazine ranked Saladworks #416 of the top 500 franchises in America. The company was also included as one of "10 Great Franchise Deals" in a 2010 article by Daniel P. Smith in QSR Magazine.