10 Key FAQs About Owning a Salad Station Franchise

The Salad Station reflects its co-founders’—mother-and-son duo, Cindy and Scott Henderson—deep passion for farming, fresh ingredients and exceptional value. The build-your-own salad concept offers a unique approach to the traditional salad bar through its family-farming atmosphere, ever-evolving menu, pay by the pound concept, and commitment to providing a “Fresh, Full, Clean” experience.

These factors, among many are what contribute to making The Salad Station a truly unique brand that now includes more than 20 locations and one whose growth shows no signs of slowing down. 1851 Franchise rounded up 10 frequently asked questions regarding owning a Salad Station franchise and what prospective franchisees can expect from the brand.

1. What is the history behind the brand?

The Salad Station was founded in 2012 by now-president Scott Henderson and his mother and co-founder, Cindy Henderson. The brand was built upon a blend of industry awareness and passion from the legacy of the Henderson/Liuzza families passion for farming and fresh ingredients. Cindy’s father, Italian-American farmer Joe Liuzza, started his own produce farm in the 1940s, eventually growing the business to become the largest strawberry producer in the state of Louisiana; and Liuzza’s entrepreneurial spirit clearly ran in the family.

Before founding The Salad Station, Cindy opened two farmers market locations dubbed Berry Town and a decade later, Scott transformed his post-high school job as a wholesale produce distributor into the acquisition and revamp of the Hammond, Louisiana steak house, Buddies Bar & Grill. The mother-and-son duo’s past experiences running their own businesses gave them the industry knowledge to create the successful concept that offers significant, untapped market potential.

2. What are The Salad Station’s key differentiators?

The Station Salad boasts numerous differentiators, setting itself apart from the competition as a top health food franchise. The brand offers approximately 120 fresh toppings; triple the choice of other build-your-own salad companies—including gourmet selections, a hot bar and on-the-spot chop or wrap options for guests on the go. Their pay-by-the-pound approach, which allows for customization also leads to reduced food waste and cultivates an “eating with intention” attitude for consumers and an innovative approach to healthy eating.

Each location is kept exceptionally clean, so that when customers walk in, they are experiencing a clean meal in a pristine and aesthetically-pleasing atmosphere. The produce is cut fresh on-site and the bar is constantly being refreshed and refilled to ensure cleanliness and ultimate tastefulness. The Salad Station’s self-serve, pay-by-the-pound approach benefits guests by bringing purpose to their bowls and reducing waste while also supporting franchise partners, translating to a low-cost labor model in comparison to other concepts.

3. Why is The Salad Station ideal an ideal opportunity for franchise candidates?

From a business standpoint, The Salad Station’s business model is streamlined and simple, allowing for non-intensive operations. The fast-growing company’s family friendly hours of Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday enable franchisees to run a successful business, while allowing them the time for themselves to spend with friends and family.

The Salad Station’s executive leadership team is characterized by industry experts and franchise development professionals whose experience spans the restaurant, supply chain and franchise spaces. Franchisees joining the brand will therefore be given a tremendous amount of support and attention, allowing them the opportunity to go into business for themselves, but not by themselves.

4. Why this industry?

According to the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Industry Annual Report, the restaurant industry is projected to reach $863 billion in sales by the end of 2019. People are eating out more frequently than ever before, with increasing expectations for fast, customizable options that fit their lifestyle and diet.

The Salad Station prides itself on its approachable concept and ability to provide real food for real people by appealing to all generations and socioeconomic statuses by offering variety, without the inflated price tags due to its pay-by-the-pound approach.

5. What kind of response does The Salad Station receive from customers?

The Salad Station receives excellent third-party validation and the brand’s customers provide five star reviews because their experience within the restaurant, is just that. From the appeal of 120 options—including premium toppings like roasted garlic and marinated artichokes—all priced by the pound, plus diverse flavors and dressings to appeal to every palate, The Salad Station has something for everyone.

The brand sees an impressive amount of repeat business and customer retention, due to a practically endless amount of meal options. In addition, franchise owners and staff often experience customer testimonials regarding their appreciation for the concept due to a lack of healthy and affordable dining options in the area.

6. Does The Salad Station have a strong connection to the community?

Coming from 70 years in the produce industry, the Henderson and Liuzza families have established a reputable brand, established by industry experts, which has continued to prove equally as strong as the brand has grown throughout its home state of Louisiana, as well as throughout Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

The Salad Station aims to build a strong connections to its respective communities by creating a welcoming, clean and open atmosphere for its guests. At The Salad Station, guests will always experience genuine hospitality from people who live in their community and whom they can come to know and trust.

In addition, the brand has established a, “Lettuce Help” community wellness program for each of the store locations. The Salad Station partners with St. Jude Children’s Hospital to assist in raising funds to support their mission of finding cures for childhood cancers and raises funds for the Heart Association as well as Alzheimer’s.

7. What kind of operational support do franchisees receive from the top line?

The Salad Station is led by an experienced executive team with extensive knowledge of franchising and of the restaurant industry. Director of Franchise Operations Garrick Robert worked for eight years as a franchise consultant for the wellness and lifestyle brand Smoothie King; and Head of Franchise Development John Mike Heroman started his own wireless repair service and grew it to 75 franchised locations before joining The Salad Station brand. Co-founders, Scott and Cindy Henderson, bring wide-ranging industry knowledge,significant leadership abilities, and entrepreneurial experience to the brand.

The Salad Station’s executive team members work diligently with franchisees to provide support and training, from the first point of inquiry to the restaurant’s opening day and beyond. The executive team also incorporates a strong support program, offering tools and resources to contribute to every location’s success.

8. Is The Salad Station looking to expand its footprint?

The Salad Station’s commitment to a bountiful salad bar that is always “Fresh, Full, Clean” make the franchise truly unique and has contributed to a footprint of more than 20 units and growing.

Since opening its doors to franchising in 2015, the brand has continued to grow throughout its home state of Louisiana with plans to develop in areas that include Huntsville and Montgomery, Alabama; Orlando, Pensacola and the Panhandle region of Florida; Atlanta; Oxford, Mississippi; Nashville, Tennessee; Houston; and the Carolinas.

9. What is The Salad Stations future plans in terms of growth?

The Salad Station has continued to gain strong momentum since its founding in 2012. The brand holds high expectations for growth and has set a strategic plan in place to achieve a target unit count of 50 open or in development by the end of 2020 and 100 total open or in development by the end of 2021.

To support its growth, the brand is also growing with “SALLY”; an automated salad-building machine with touch screen customization for delicious salads while on-the-go. The Salad Station recently announced a partnership in Houston to bring 100 of the salad-vending machines and a goal of 15 restaurants to the market within the next three years.

10. Why is now the time to invest in The Salad Station?

Franchisees have an opportunity to join The Salad Station at a pivotal time of growth and development, with the support of an established, reputable leadership team. With a comparatively low investment to enter and high returns, The Salad Station is among the lower-cost restaurant franchise opportunities, offering an opportunity for franchisees to grow with the brand.

The Salad Station has the resources in place to excel in its category and the tools set in place in order to do so. Given the brand leadership team’s strong background in franchise development; the brand’s health- and waste-conscious model; streamlined operations; exceptional franchisee support and, more than anything, inimitable passion on the part of the founders, Cindy and Scott Henderson, the brand is ready to become the go-to lunch and dinner spot across the South—and beyond.

The Salad Station franchise investment ranges from $198,650 and $354,900. To learn more about franchising with The Salad Station, visit https://thesaladstation.com/franchising.