CHOP5 Franchise Information

Play

Own a CHOP5

What is your timeline to franchise ownership?
Please share any additional comments or questions

ABOUT CHOP5

CHOP5 Salad Kitchen is an Ohio-based franchise brand redefining the healthy eating experience with a delectable array of chop salads, wraps, crave-a-bowls and other health-inspired menu items that balance flavor, fresh ingredients and chef-inspired taste. With a vibrant and growing demand for nutritional dining options, CHOP5 stands out with its unique approach to fresh, flavorful and accessible meals, made on the spot.

  • How much it costs
  • About CHOP5
  • Why CHOP5/Why Now?
  • What Sets CHOP5 Apart?
  • Why the Health Food Industry?
  • Why You?
  • What Is the Investment?

This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. An offer is made only by a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) in those jurisdictions that require it. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. The information contained in this website is not inconsistent with our FDD. This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the appropriate state regulatory agencies. Such filing does not constitute approval by those states.

$406,700 to $923,700
Start-Up Cost
$99,500
Initial Franchise Fee
6%
Royalty

* This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. Franchise offerings are made by Franchise Disclosure Document only.

CHOP5 Salad Kitchen is an Ohio-based franchise brand redefining the healthy eating experience with a delectable array of chop salads, wraps, crave-a-bowls and other health-inspired menu items that balance flavor, fresh ingredients and chef-inspired taste. With a vibrant and growing demand for nutritional dining options, CHOP5 stands out with its unique approach to fresh, flavorful and accessible meals, made on the spot. 

Contrary to popular health food and salad chains such as Sweetgreen and Chopt, which are not available for franchising, CHOP5 shines as an exceptional case where the concept is designed entirely with the franchisee's success in mind. That is because the brand was designed by five long-time franchisees who collectively oversee more than 400 restaurants nationwide — built by franchisees, for franchisees. 

Now, CHOP5 is poised to propel its franchise expansion throughout the nation, backed by a management team that boasts over a century of combined experience in franchising. This positions CHOP5 as an enticing proposition for franchisees looking to be part of an up-and-coming brand with the solid backing of a seasoned and savvy leadership team with longstanding industry roots.

The CHOP5 team set out to design a franchise model that stands out from the conventional approaches in the sector, concentrating on developing the kind of infrastructure, adaptability and support they desired when they were franchisees. This comprehensive support includes aid with choosing locations, help with construction, market analysis visits, lower start-up costs, multiple revenue streams — not to mention the crafting of an exceptional, chef-inspired menu.

CHOP5's menu boasts a variety of chef-curated signature chopped salads such as the Harvest Chop Salad, Korean Chicken Chop Salad and Kale Quinoa Chop Salad, alongside distinctive rice bowls including the Mexican Rice Bowl, Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl and Mediterranean Rice Bowl. Additionally, the brand periodically introduces special seasonal offerings like the Pesto Chicken Bowl and Brussels Sprouts Sweet Potato Bowl.

In terms of the guest experience, what sets CHOP5 apart from its competitors is that the staff prepare salads right in front of the guests, ensuring the freshness and quality of the ingredients, which includes house-made recipes and dressings that create unique flavors to cater to a diverse customer base. The brand aims to maintain a culture akin to grandma’s kitchen, emphasizing manners and respect in their guest service approach.

In the last 10 years, there's been a significant shift towards healthier eating, with the popularity of plant-based meats, vegan choices, superfoods and gluten-free alternatives all signaling a move to more health-conscious diets. This trend is gaining momentum — with 60% of consumers acknowledging that the pandemic has heightened their awareness of health maintenance through healthy living. GlobalData's "Top Trends in Food 2023" report underlines that, since late 2020, the desire for healthy food choices has consistently topped the list of trends influencing consumer spending habits.

Furthermore, as the world recovers from the pandemic, salad spots are reclaiming their status as a favored, daily lunch destination for the bustling office crowd.

The ideal CHOP5 franchisee is a business-savvy individual, possibly with experience in other franchises, who is eager to be part of a growing story. This could be a hands-on owner operator or a semi-absentee multi-unit owner. The team is looking for leaders, innovators, restaurant industry veterans and especially those excited by the prospect of owning a mission-driven business led by a team of the industry’s best and brightest.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a CHOP5 Salad Kitchen is $406,700 to  $923,700. The franchise fee required to open a CHOP5 franchise is $99,500.

For more information, visit: https://chop5.com/franchising

Executive Q&A
executive

Executive Q&A: CHOP5 Operating Partner and Co-Founder Brian Mills

CHOP5 is known for exceptional chop salads, wraps, crave-a-bowls and other health-inspired menu items that balance flavor, fresh ingredients and chef-inspired taste. 

1851 Franchise: How did you fall into franchising?

Brian Mills, CHOP5 Operating Partner and Co-Founder: Oh wow, that goes way back to my childhood. My father was an entrepreneur, and I saw the successes and failures, good times and bad times. But he had the drive to own his own business. As a young boy, I always figured I'd do something on my own. I remember driving by McDonald's as a little kid in Cub Scouts, and seeing “billions sold.” That made me think about franchising. Then I stumbled into it because my wife's brother-in-law worked for Domino's Pizza when they first started.

1851 Franchise: Was your dad a franchise entrepreneur?

Mills: No, my dad was a pure entrepreneur — ground-up startup. I thought hedging the bet by going to a proven system as part of franchising would be safer, even though my life took me in that direction naturally. Throughout my life, I gravitated towards that, especially when Domino's came along. I was part of that growth on the West Coast in San Diego, and seeing that system run changed my perspective. I saw it as safer than what my dad was doing.

1851 Franchise: Did your dad see you get into franchising? And did he understand your success in it?

Mills: He passed away when he was 80, but he saw me managing a Domino's at the beginning of my career. I was actually in a meeting with Papa John's when he passed, so yes, he saw a part of my journey. As an entrepreneur at heart, I don't think he ever saw his path as the wrong one. He appreciated the effort and drive it took to grow things.

1851 Franchise: Did you see yourself as an entrepreneur within the franchising system?

Mills: I never really thought of myself as an entrepreneur in the purest sense since I wasn't starting from the ground up. But being a franchisee does allow you to put your stamp on a system, so there's an element of entrepreneurship in that. Especially with CHOP5, we're running the business through franchisee eyes because that's in our DNA. We want franchisees to be successful because it means the franchise will be successful — it's a team effort.

1851 Franchise: Can you give a glimpse into your franchise portfolio? Where did it get to with you and your partners?

Mills: At any time, we're operating around 400 to 500 restaurants. Each of my four partners has their own businesses. We have a lot of knowledge on systems and what's happening in the world, which helps us make intelligent decisions. Our group is involved in diverse systems like Jersey Mike'sPapa John'sCheckers and Rally's, etc. We support each other through successes and struggles. The knowledge our group has is unparalleled.

1851 Franchise: When building your franchise portfolio, were you thinking of scale the whole time?

Mills: Absolutely. People often reach out to me wanting to franchise, and I tell them you need a bigger mindset; you have to scale. Otherwise, you're just buying a job. That's not what we do. We want to build something that changes wealth projections for our families.

1851 Franchise: And now, as you're becoming a franchisor with CHOP5, what was the thought process behind that?

Mills: The intent was to create something successful, not just as a primary revenue driver but to do it right. We've been lucky to achieve a certain level of success and we're passionate about creating a successful venture. We want people involved like us; we're focused on growth because without it, there's no success. 

The direction of food trends is unmistakable. While classics like pizza and burgers are here to stay, there's a significant move towards healthier eating. People are seeking healthier options without compromising on taste. A prime example is a simple yet delicious salad.

1851 Franchise: How important is it to make sure you bring the right people into the system, especially in the beginning? 

Mills: For us at CHOP5, selecting the right franchise partners is crucial, especially in the beginning. We're looking for individuals with the mindset of a businessperson, people who understand the importance of a business model that works. Handing over the reins to someone else is daunting since we have a deep operational background. Our franchisee selection process is akin to an exclusive club where potential partners are meticulously vetted. The timing has to be perfect, and sometimes it's not right for certain candidates initially, but it could be in the future. Our biggest decisions revolve around the people we partner with, viewing them truly as partners.

1851 Franchise: What are the ingredients that make a great franchise opportunity?

Mills: As a franchisee, getting in early on a franchise like CHOP5 is an advantage, allowing for a broader vision and territory. As franchises become popular, availability diminishes, leaving prospects with less desirable options. CHOP5 offers a burgeoning market in healthier fast-casual dining, which we believe will only continue to grow. But with an established customer base after seven years, we’re not newcomers. We've taken our time to ensure we're prepared to franchise. Partnering with our ownership group offers an unmatched opportunity to learn from seasoned business people, including from our own failures, which is as vital as our successes. We aim to support our franchisees in their growth, which is a departure from the norm of leaving franchisees to grow the business independently. As a franchisee first, the viability of the business model, including royalty and franchise fee structures, is of paramount importance to me. It took a lot of work for us to figure out this business model and get it to the point it is today. 

1851 Franchise: What are your plans for growth?

Mills: Growth should happen organically with the right people at the right time. It’s a flywheel effect — difficult to get moving but unstoppable once it does. We’re committed to ensuring the success of our first franchisees as it's pivotal to our business.

For more information, visit: https://chop5.com/own-a-franchise

Franchise Growth Markets
  • Top Growth Market
  • Unavailable Markets

Own a CHOP5

What is your timeline to franchise ownership?
Please share any additional comments or questions