The Top 10 Salad Restaurant Franchises for 2023

As consumers continue to place more emphasis on their well-being, the global health and wellness foods market is expected to reach a whopping $1 trillion by 2026, according to Research and Markets. 

This means there is no better time than the present to invest in a salad restaurant franchise. However, with so much saturation in the better-for-you restaurant market, it is important to make sure that you’re investing in a reputable brand.

Here are our top salad franchise picks for 2023.  

Saladworks

Investment Range: $234,000–$653,000
Startup Costs: $234,000–$653,000
Unit Count: 106

Saladworks is one of the country’s largest tossed salad franchises and has been open for around 30 years. The brand offers over 60 fresh vegetable options for its customizable salads, as well as soups, sandwiches and grain bowls. Franchise locations are designed to open in various spaces from 250 to 2,300 square feet. 

Chop Stop

Investment Range: $375,000–$699,000
Startup Costs: $375,000–$699,000
Unit Count: 25

Chop Stop is a fast-growing, low-cost, chopped salad concept with 11 years of sales history and regional brand recognition throughout Southern California. It ranked number 198 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list in 2022. Patented chopping processes allow the brand to serve a customized salad in about three minutes, allowing Chop Stop owners to capitalize on the growing market for convenient, health-oriented restaurant options. 

TaKorean

Investment Range: $215,500–$781,500
Startup Costs: $215,500–$781,500
Unit Count: 2

TaKorean is a quick-service concept inspired by Korean and Latin street food. Its “build-your-own” bowl and taco concept allows guests to create memorable meals, including salads, catered to their specific preferences by combining the restaurant’s colorful, wholesome, made-fresh ingredients. The brand is currently looking to expand as it continues to bring new, exciting flavors and a stellar customer experience to its diners.

Coolgreens

Investment Range: $313,100–$496,000
Startup Costs: $313,100–$496,000
Unit Count: 9 

Coolgreens serves a chef-inspired menu of signature salads, wraps, grain bowls and sandwiches. The brand has expanded to double-digit locations in multiple states and plans for 150 locations within five years. In early 2020, Coolgreens also launched Coolgreens Market, smart refrigerators that offer quick, affordable and healthy grab-and-go options. 

The Salad House

Investment Range: $269,200–$454,500
Startup Costs: $269,200–$454,500
Unit Count: 9

The Salad House was founded in  New Jersey in 2011 and began franchising in 2017. It is a health-conscious fast-casual restaurant brand that serves fresh, made-to-order customizable salad creations. It is known for its extensive menu, which caters to most diets and food restrictions. In addition to its various salad menu items, the brand also offers sandwiches, wraps, soups, appetizers and smoothies. 

Salad Station

Investment Range: $192,300–$373,800
Startup Costs: $192,300–$373,800
Unit Count: 25+

Founded in 2012 by Louisiana vegetable farmers, Salad Station specializes in offering a large bounty of fresh, local products for customers to build their own gourmet meals. One of its most unique features is its pay-by-the-pound concept which allows guests to pay for exactly what they created. The family-owned brand is currently looking to expand around the United States. 

Salads2YourDoor

Investment Range: $72,000–$124,000
Startup Costs: $72,000–$124,000
Unit Count: 3

Salads2YourDoor was founded in 2018 by integrative nutritional health coach Chanala Rubenfield. The monthly subscription service allows customers to enter their preferences and/or dietary restrictions and receive a variety of salads at the start of every week. Salads2YourDoor currency has franchise locations in St. Louis, Kansas City and Atlanta, with more locations coming soon. 

The Big Salad

Investment Range: $269,250–$478,000
Startup Costs:  $269,250–$478,000
Unit Count: 6

The Big Salad offers customizable chopped salads, sandwiches and soups crafted in the customer's presence. The menu also includes pre-designed meals for guests to choose from. Notably, the franchise system is turnkey, meaning no restaurant experience is necessary. 

Grabbagreen

Investment Range: $266,000–$552,075
Startup Costs: $266,000–$552,075
Unit Count: 20+

Founded in 2013, Grabbagreen is a quick-service restaurant where tasty, healthy food meets the speed and convenience of traditional fast food. Grabbagreen’s Eat Clean menu is made up of fresh ingredients and whole foods. All signature menu items are prepared fresh, made to order, and provide options for customers with dietary restrictions.

Salata Salad Kitchen

Investment Range: $286,000–$899,000
Startup Costs: $286,000–$899,000
Unit Count: 89 

Salata Salad Kitchen is marketed as a “simple and profitable fast-casual dining experience with a proven operational system and business model that works.” It is known for its customizable, made-to-order salads and wraps that can be made with over 50 ingredients, five salad bases, and 10 house-made, gluten-free dressings.