Operations

Founders Table Restaurant acquires Protein Bar & Kitchen

Photo: Founders Table

January 15, 2026

Founders Table Restaurant Group has acquired Protein Bar & Kitchen, marking a significant expansion of its portfolio of founder-led brands.

The deal integrates Protein Bar & Kitchen into a platform that includes Chopt Creative Salad Company and Dos Toros Taqueria. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, according to a press release.

Established in 2009, PBK has grown from a single Chicago storefront to 15 corporate and four licensed locations, specializing in protein-packed bowls, wraps and a signature line of shakes and smoothies.

"We see enormous opportunity in premium and blended beverages, and have been following PBK's success over the past several years," Nick Marsh, CEO of Chopt, said in the release.

The acquisition keeps PBK's leadership intact. CEO Jeff Drake and COO Jared Cohen, who have led the brand since 2017, will join the Founders Table organization. Drake said the partnership is designed to accelerate a growth plan that already includes 30 franchised and licensed locations in development.

"With an established platform and 30 franchised and licensed locations already in development, we believe the support of the Founders Table platform will allow us to successfully accelerate our growth," Drake said in the release.

Founders Table plans to leverage PBK's flexible operating model to expand into non-traditional venues, such as airports, hospitals and universities. The brands already share a footprint as co-tenants in LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B.

New PBK locations are slated to open in Indianapolis and suburban Chicago later this year.