Saladworks

Infobox Company
name = Saladworks, LLC

type = Fast Casual Restaurant
foundation = 1986
founder = John Scardapane
location_city = Conshohocken, PA
location_country =
key_people =
industry = Restaurant
services =
revenue =
net_income =
locations = 96 Open, 194 in Development
area_served = New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, North Carolina & Florida
num_employees = 30+ Corporate, 2200+ in Locations
slogan =
homepage = [http://www.saladworks.com www.saladworks.com]

Saladworks, LLC is the first and largest tossed-salad franchise in the United States of America with 96 locations in seven states and Washington D.C. The franchise sells made-to-order, entrée sized salads, soups and panini. The company was founded in Southern New Jersey in 1986 by chef John Scardapane. In 2007, Saladworks grossed $60 million in system-wide sales.

History

The original Saladworks opened in the Cherry Hill Mall in Southern New Jersey in 1986. Scardapane opened 12 more locations in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania before he began franchising in 1992. Saladworks’ major growth spurt came in 2002 when the franchise system added 21 new locations in 10 months.

In 2007, Saladworks grew to 88 locations in eight states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC, Florida, Illinois and North Carolina. The brand grossed $60 million that year"Saladworks"' was “#1 salad franchise” by Entrepreneur Magazine as well as one of the “50 Powerhouse Chains” by Nation’s Restaurant News.

Products

Saladworks has a variety of signature salads, soups and Panini. Signature salads include the Bently: Iceberg and Romaine lettuce, chopped eggs, tomatoes, ham, provolone cheese and roasted turkey; Fire Roasted Fiesta: Fire roasted corn, black beans, chicken breast, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and topped with tortilla strips; Mandarin Chicken: Spring Mix, chicken breast, mandarin oranges, cucumbers, carrots, craisins, and chow mein noodles; and Nicoise: Iceberg and Romaine lettuce, pasta, tuna, tomatoes, chopped eggs and black olives.

Signature Series

In January 2008, Saladworks launched its Signature Series which featured celebrity chefs creating a line of new, seasonal salads to be sold in every location; four different chefs, four different salads. The first salad was the Wild Alaskan Grilled Salmon Salad created by Chef Jim Coleman, host of “Flavors of America” on Comcast Cn8.

The second celebrity chef was also a television personality on Cn8, Hope Cohen (“The Chef’s Kitchen"). Cohen created the “Avocadolcious Salad” which was mix of Haas Avocado and various vegetables. [http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/news/story.phtml?id=6451]

Vernon Hill

In February, 2008 Scardapane announced the addition of Commerce Bank founder Vernon W. Hill, II to the Saladworks team as Chairman of the Executive Committee. [http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/business_breaking/15548157.html] Hill and Scardapane plan to grow Saladworks to over 1,000 locations from coast-to-coast by 2012.

Expansion

Saladworks announced expansion into the Boston market in April 2008 with franchises opening in the Back Bay, Cambridge and Finanal District territories. [http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2008/04/28/daily29.html]

In 2008 , the company signed with a multi-unit developer to open ten Saladworks locations in Metro Atlanta. [http://www.fastcasual.com/article.php?id=10794&na=1] Stores will open in Peachtree Center, Buckhead, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Duluth, Buford, Lawrenceville, Athens, Peachtree City , and Aberdeen, New Jersey in March 2008.

References

1. Philadelphia Inquirer -- Februay 12, 2008 [http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/business_breaking/15548157.html]

2. QSR Magazine.com -- April 24, 2008 [http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/news/story.phtml?id=6451]

3. Boston Business Journal -- April 30, 2008 [http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2008/04/28/daily29.html]

4. Fast Casual Magazine -- June 2, 2008 [http://www.fastcasual.com/article.php?id=10794&na=1]

5. Newsday -- June 17, 2008 {http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzsalad0617,0,389569.story}