Operations
Saladworks, Frutta Bowls now available under 1 roof
Move over Ken-Taco-Hut. There is a new co-branded chain in town. Saladworks and Frutta Bowls — both owned by WoWorks — have two locations where customers may order from both menus. Both are in Pennsylvania.
July 30, 2021 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Move over Ken-Taco-Hut. There is a new co-branded chain in town. Saladworks and Frutta Bowls — both owned by WoWorks — have two locations where customers may order from both menus. Both are in Pennsylvania, but more will be opening soon, Eric Lavinder, WOWorks chief development officer told FastCasual.
"By combining two leading brands under one roof, we are offering guests endless combinations of customizable, healthy meals in one single location," he said. "For our franchisees, this co-branding opportunity will create a strong revenue stream to help expand their local businesses in an efficient and exciting way."
WOWorks, which formed last year and also owns Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek, support brands whose core DNA is based on fresh, flavorful and healthy food that appeal to Millennial families and Gen Z guests, Lavinder said.
The Saladworks menu, for example, includes 12 chef-created salads but also allows customers to create their own salad, grain bowls or wraps. Frutta Bowls specializes in customizable bowls, smoothies and protein bites featuring superfoods, such as acai, pitaya and kale, along with almonds, blueberries and dark chocolate to help boost immunity levels, said Lavinder, who thinks the co-branded units make sense together.
"Frutta Bowls brings in a breakfast component, a mid-afternoon snack option, as well as after-dinner options on top of guests ordering these offerings while placing a Saladworks order," Lavinder said. "We will be looking to make sure the size of the location will accommodate the co-brand, as well as making sure there are not any exclusivity concerns in that area.
"With both concepts being focused on fresh food and not having any hoods or fryers, they make a great combination."
Although Lavinder doesn't yet know the exact cost of building a dual-branded concept from the ground up, he expects it to be worth the price tag.
"Our first two debuts were add-ons to existing Saladworks restaurants with a remodel," he said. "We expect that building a Frutta Bowls restaurant inside of an existing Saladworks will increase the cost around $25K-$45K, depending on what the operator chooses to add," he said. "For our store-within-a-store models, we are estimating the cost to increase approximately $15K-$20K."
Growing strong
The co-branded units are just part of WoWorks growth story, however.
Combined, Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek, have grown steadily over the past quarter and are on track to open more than 70 restaurants by year's end. In the past three months, they have signed 13 agreements and opened 18 locations, entering Utah, California, Texas, Massachusetts and Tennessee.
The company is projecting 61 openings in non-traditional verticals before the end of the year and is pursuing more grocery opportunities in Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
"In addition to continuing to build our traditional restaurant growth, we are looking to redefine the non-traditional restaurant category in unique and relevant platforms," Lavinder said. "From exploring non-traditional channels such as grocery stores, airports, universities, colleges and ghost kitchens, we are paving the way for growth with all of the brands under the WOWorks umbrella."
About Cherryh Cansler
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