Fueled by consumer demand for healthier, fresher ingredients, fast casual salad concept Saladworks is focusing its expansion efforts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Guests have embraced the Irving, Texas location since it opened two years ago, influencing corporate’s continued development in larger cities throughout the state.

“Dallas-Fort Worth is an economically prosperous, high-growth city that presents a unique opportunity for development. As a younger demographic continues to migrate to the city for work, Saladworks is well-positioned to meet this demand and offer a chef-inspired, customizable entrée salad that is rich with flavorful ingredients and aligns with the lifestyle of these residents,” said Saladworks President & CEO Patrick Sugrue, a food industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience with roles at The Coca Cola Company and Honey Baked Ham.

And the number of residents is rapidly growing. From 2015 to 2016, Dallas-Fort Worth added 140,000 people - awarding it the title of the fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, population growth is only one reason why the brand wants to expand into the city. To gain further insight, Saladworks used Forum Analytics, a CBRE company that specializes in market research, data science and business analytics to draw conclusions on focus growth markets. Similar to Atlanta, Forum Analytics found that Dallas-Fort Worth presents a diverse demographic that offers huge opportunity for growth to the fresh-tossed salad concept.

“For more than 30 years, we’ve been committed to high-quality ingredients and customization. Guests can choose from more than 60 ingredients and craft a salad based on their specific preferences or choose from one of our signature or seasonal salads,” said Sugrue. “We’re excited to bring Saladworks to the city and offer Texans a healthful option.”

With nearly 100 locations throughout the U.S. and abroad, the franchise system boasts satisfying entree-sized salads.  The Dallas-Fort Worth market will be an early adopter of the concept’s new menu featuring more vegetarian and vegan centered dishes, grain bowls and aguas frescas beverages that will compliment a new line of salads. Committed to its forward-thinking strategy, Saladworks has revamped its logo and restaurant interior to provide for a more comfortable atmosphere complete with charging stations inviting guests to stay a while.

One person who will be playing a major role in getting the restaurant opened and operating smoothly is a 16-year veteran employee at Saladworks, Business Coach Clifford Wood.

“We want to build a strong community environment from the beginning, so that will be the biggest initial element to let everyone in Dallas know that we’re there to become part of the community,” Wood said. “I am planning to work with local schools and youth organizaitons to promote healthy eating and support the students in their activities and school functions. We want to establish ourselves as a fresh, healthy restaurant in Dallas so that people will continue to welcome us as we expand across the area.”

And Saladworks has ambitious plans for the Dallas-Fort Worth market, aiming to open the first location in Gateway Plaza in Southlake in Summer of 2018 and the second location later in the year in the new Citadel development in Fort Worth. The brand is on pace to open two to three locations in the region within the next 12 months, adding 40 new jobs to the market. Finding the right real estate with high foot traffic is an important part of the process, and the brand is focusing on Frisco, Downtown Dallas, North Dallas and the Dallas Medical District for possible sites. The entire Dallas-Fort Worth market can hold 20 to 30 locations, and Saladworks aims to open the majority of these restaurants in the next five years.

“There’s limitless potential to develop Saladworks throughout the region in the coming years. Corporate development will be augmented by bringing on qualified multi unit operators as we continue to expand our nationwide footprint. Dallas-Fort Worth is a key market for growth and we’re excited to bring our flavorful and plentiful food to more Texans as we continue to bring qualified partners into our successful franchise system to open new locations,” said Sugrue.

Current initial investment for Saladworks ranges from $388,723 to $531,455 which includes a $35,000 franchisee fee and has between $27,000 and $65,000 in tenant improvement allowance subtracted from the total. Find out more about franchising opportunities with Saladworks here: http://saladworksfranchising.com/.