Best Restaurant Franchises: Top Salad Restaurants of 2024

In the wake of the COVID pandemic, health-conscious consumers are driving a shift in the fast-food industry towards fresher, more nutritious options. In fact, a recent market report from Cognitive Market Research showed a healthy takeout market size of $19.9 billion in the U.S. for 2023, with revenue predicted to expand at a CAGR of 10.3% through 2030. This trend has sparked a surge in the popularity of salad-centric restaurant franchises, which are gaining traction as viable business opportunities. So move over, burgers and fries — here are 15 salad quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchise opportunities to consider for 2024.

Freshii

• Initial Investment: $175,500 - $581,000
• Unit Count: 300+

Freshii aims to provide fresh and nutritious meals to people on the go. Founded in Toronto, Ontario, in 2005, the brand is interesting for its diverse menu that includes salads, bowls, wraps and juices, all designed to cater to a healthy lifestyle. Freshii’s commitment to health and wellness, along with its innovative approach to fast-casual dining, make it an appealing choice for franchisees.

CHOP5 Salad Kitchen

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• Initial Investment: $406,000 - $923,700
• Unit Count: 400+

Founded in 2017 in Columbus, Ohio, CHOP5 Salad Kitchen stands out for its commitment to fresh, customizable salads served in a fast-casual environment. What makes CHOP5 stand out is its mission of “creating fun, transparent environments where guests can have a great experience with clean, healthy foods." The franchise opportunity is unique because of its streamlined operations, extensive training programs and robust support system for franchisees, catering to the growing demand for healthy dining options.

Saladworks

• Initial Investment: $556,557 - $673,457
• Unit Count: 108

Saladworks, established in 1986 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is a trailblazer in the healthy fast-casual dining space. The brand is known for its extensive selection of fresh, made-to-order salads, soups, and sandwiches. Saladworks' franchise opportunity is unique due to its proven business model, strong brand recognition and comprehensive support for franchisees, making it a stable investment in the growing health-conscious market.

Just Salad

• Initial Investment: $307,000 - $753,000
• Unit Count: 80+

Just Salad was founded in 2006 in New York City with a mission to make healthy food accessible and affordable. The brand is distinctive for its emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, including its offering of reusable bowls. Just Salad’s franchise opportunity stands out with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and solid support structure, appealing to eco-conscious consumers and entrepreneurs alike.

Salata Salad Kitchen

• Initial Investment: $286,000 - $1,163,000
• Unit Count: 97

Founded in 2005 in Houston, Texas, Salata Salad Kitchen is renowned for its fully customizable salads and wraps. What sets Salata apart is its fresh, preservative-free ingredients and commitment to healthy eating. The franchise opportunity is notable for its flexibility in menu customization and strong brand reputation, making it an attractive option for health-focused entrepreneurs.

Blimpie Subs & Salads

• Initial Investment: $242,270 - $564,200 (traditional), $80,780 - $359,450 (non-traditional)
• Unit Count: 156

Established in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1964, Blimpie is one of the oldest and most recognized names in the sandwich and salad industry. Known for its high-quality deli subs and fresh salads, Blimpie offers a franchise opportunity that benefits from decades of brand loyalty and a solid operational framework. 

Green Leaf's Beyond Great Salads

• Initial Investment: $284,500 - $434,000
• Unit Count: 18

Green Leaf's Beyond Great Salads has been serving fresh, healthy meals since 1976. The brand’s long-standing dedication to providing tasty and nutritious options is a major draw. The franchise opportunity stands out because of its established presence in the market and a strong focus on fresh ingredients, which, combined with a supportive franchise network, ensures consistent quality and customer satisfaction.

Coolgreens

• Initial Investment: $260,500 - $496,750
• Unit Count: 9

Coolgreens, launched in Oklahoma City in 2009, offers a wide array of healthy and delicious menu options, including salads, wraps, and bowls. The brand’s mission to promote a healthy lifestyle through nutritious, flavorful meals makes it particularly interesting. Franchisees benefit from Coolgreens' comprehensive training programs, strong brand ethos, and innovative menu offerings, all designed to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers.

Grabbagreen

• Initial Investment: $276,500 - $595,575
• Unit Count: 15

Since its founding in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2013, Grabbagreen has made a name for itself with its nutritious, fast-casual dining options that include salads, bowls and smoothies. The brand’s commitment to wholesome, preservative-free meals delivered quickly sets it apart. The franchise opportunity is appealing due to its strong emphasis on healthy eating and efficient service model, backed by extensive support for franchisees.

Salad Station

• Initial Investment: $200,900 - $542,900
• Unit Count: 36

Salad Station, which was established in Hammond, Louisiana in 2012, offers a unique pay-by-the-pound salad bar experience, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a wide variety of options. Salad Station's franchise opportunity stands out with an innovative pricing model and strong community ties. The brand also offers comprehensive training and support programs that help franchisees deliver a distinct and appealing dining experience.

Greenhouse Salad Co.

• Initial Investment: $100,000 - $350,000
• Unit Count: 3

Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 2013, Greenhouse Salad Co. is dedicated to providing fresh, locally sourced salads and bowls. The brand’s commitment to sustainability and supporting local farmers is particularly notable. The franchise opportunity is distinct because of its strong focus on quality ingredients and sustainable practices, along with a robust support system that appeals to those passionate about healthy eating and environmental responsibility.

Tossed

• Initial Investment: $232,250 - $481,550
• Unit Count: 5

Tossed has been delighting New York City diners since 1998 with its made-to-order salads and sandwiches. The brand’s focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and customizable menu options makes it a favorite. In addition to its comprehensive support for franchisees, Tossed stands out as a franchise opportunity with its flexible menu and strong brand recognition.

Souper Salad

• Initial Investment: $594,000 - $873,000
• Unit Count: 3

Souper Salad, which began in Houston, Texas, in 1978, is known for its extensive salad bar, homemade soups and baked goods. As a franchise, Souper Salad offers a well-rounded business model, supported by a diverse menu and strong operational support that helps franchisees deliver a consistently high-quality dining experience.

Salad House

• Initial Investment: $279,400 - $650,000
• Unit Count: 11

Salad House was founded in 2011 in Millburn, New Jersey, to create a welcoming environment where customers could enjoy fresh, customizable salads and healthy dining options. What sets Salad House apart from other salad restaurants is its commitment to providing a family-friendly atmosphere combined with a diverse menu that includes not only salads but also sandwiches, wraps and grain bowls. Salad House’s proven business model and comprehensive support make it an attractive investment for entrepreneurs looking to enter the fast-casual dining sector.

The Big Salad

• Initial Investment: $265,000 - $507,000
• Unit Count: 8

The Big Salad was born in 2008 with a vision of offering fresh, customizable salads in a welcoming and friendly environment. Unlike many other salad restaurants, The Big Salad distinguishes itself with a strong focus on customer experience and interaction, providing an extensive selection of ingredients that allow for highly personalized meals. The brand's emphasis on quality and customization, combined with robust training and marketing assistance, makes it a compelling choice for potential franchise owners.

The fast-food industry’s shift toward healthier options is not just a fleeting trend but a fundamental change in consumer preferences. The projected growth of the healthy QSR market underscores the increasing demand for nutritious and convenient dining choices. With salad-centric restaurant franchises leading the charge, aspiring franchisees have plenty of opportunities to consider in this burgeoning sector. 

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.