The Benefits of Being One of CHOP5's First Franchisees

CHOP5 Salad Kitchen, the Ohio-born franchise known for exceptional chopped salads, wraps, crave-a-bowls and more, is positioned to become the next leading salad concept. And that means early franchisees have a significant opportunity to shape the brand's future while capitalizing on a proven business model and impressive leadership team.

“It took a lot of work for us to figure out this business model and get it to the point it is today,” said CHOP5 co-founder Brian Mills. “With an established guest base after seven years, we’re not newcomers anymore, but we’re still fresh. We've taken our time to ensure we're prepared to franchise.”

Let's explore the benefits that come with being a pioneer in this fresh and fast-growing brand.

Direct Access to Leadership and Support

One of the most compelling benefits of joining CHOP5 at this early stage is unprecedented access to the leadership team. And this isn’t just any leadership team; these guys know a thing or two about franchising. CHOP5 was created by several passionate and successful business owners who collectively operate more than 400 restaurants across the country, including Jersey Mike's, Papa John's and Qdoba.

“It’s part of our mission to provide a supportive community that welcomes new business owners, nurtures them on their journey through business growth and provides the resources and information they need to build a successful franchise operation,” Mills said. “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.”

This level of access allows for direct communication and personalized support, ensuring that franchisees are not just another number in the system but key partners in the brand's development.

"You can pick up the phone and call the leadership team, which you wouldn’t get if you were a franchisee of a larger franchise system, for example,” said Lauren Wanamaker, chief growth officer at Conscious Capital Growth. “That is a huge benefit.”

Influence on Brand Development

Being among the first to join a franchise often allows entrepreneurs to have a real impact on its evolution. Early franchisees at CHOP5 are no different; they have the unique opportunity to contribute ideas, such as new recipes or operational improvements, that could be incorporated across the network.

"Potentially, you could really shape the future of the CHOP5 brand if you want to," Wanamaker said. This influence not only fosters a sense of ownership but also aligns with the entrepreneurial spirit that CHOP5 seeks in its franchisees.

“We’re 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 who want to play an active role in your success,” Mills said. “For us at CHOP5, selecting the right franchise partners is crucial, especially in the beginning. We are going to be true partners.”

Proof of Concept

The original CHOP5 location opened in Columbus, Ohio, in 2016, and immediately developed a loyal following in the city. CHOP5’s focus on high-quality, chef-crafted salads, wraps and bowls meets the modern consumer's desire for quick and healthy meals, offering a competitive edge in the marketplace.

“Some candidates express hesitancy about the newness of the brand — they want to know if CHOP5 has proof of concept,” said Wanamaker. “While the franchising side of the business has just launched, the business model has certainly been proven with a long track record.”

Unlike its competitors, CHOP5 prepares chef-inspired salads in full view of the guest, ensuring freshness and quality with house-made recipes and dressings. The brand emphasizes not only healthy options but also flavorful and satisfying meals that appeal to a broader audience. Despite the pandemic hitting in 2020, the brand has since expanded to include an additional location in Ohio and one in Florida.

“We continue to innovate and optimize our operations,” said Mills. “For example, during COVID, we realized that we could bring in big volumes out of a smaller footprint, so we adjusted our requirements. We also saw early on that we needed to create signature salads, not just build-your-own.”

Market Territory Availability

For entrepreneurs looking to enter the healthy fast-casual space, finding available territory and a reputable concept. Early franchisees of CHOP5 benefit from wide-open market territory availability, allowing them to choose prime locations that align with their business goals.

This advantage is significant, especially in the competitive fast-casual dining sector, where location can dramatically affect the success of the business. The CHOP5 team is currently looking to grow in states where locations already exist, including Ohio and Florida.

A Rare Opportunity

Overall, CHOP5 offers franchisees a unique opportunity within franchising: join an emerging brand at the ground floor while still enjoying all the benefits of an established and expert leadership team that has been in the industry for decades.

“With direct access to the leadership team, the ability to influence brand development and the advantage of selecting prime market territories, CHOP5 is inviting entrepreneurial individuals to become integral parts of a growing story in the healthy fast casual category,” Mills said. “We’re committed to supporting our franchisees as it's pivotal to our business. 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.”

For more information, visit: https://1851franchise.com/chop5/.