News

Just Salad appoints chief sustainability officer

January 11, 2019

New York City-based Just Salad has appointed Janani Lee as its first chief sustainability officer.

"Hiring a chief sustainability officer is a huge milestone for Just Salad and for the restaurant sustainability movement at large," Nick Kenner, Just Salad founder and CEO, said in a company press release. "It's amazing to think of how much we've already accomplished: nearly 1 million pounds of plastic saved through our reusable bowl program. I've always wanted to go all in on sustainability, and Janani's new role will finally make it a reality." 

Formerly Just Salad's director of supply chain, Lee has an extensive background in food systems and food technology in the health and wellness space, Kenner said.  In her role as chief sustainability officer, she will expand Just Salad's existing sustainability efforts and prospect new sustainability opportunities across all aspects of business, including:

•  A commitment to save 100,000 pounds of plastic in 2019 — up from 75,000 pounds of plastic in 2018 — through the brand's reusable bowl program.
• Transition from disposable plastic bowls to biodegradable fiber bowls at all locations worldwide.
• Development of a 360-degree composting program in collaboration with Bard MBA NYCLab, a yearlong professional consultancy by Bard students receiving an MBA in Sustainability 

"Some might say sustainability is on-trend, but it's been a core value at Just Salad since its founding in 2006," Lee said. "Our reusable bowl program puts us ahead of the curve in many ways, but we're determined to become the gold standard of sustainability in the restaurant space and beyond." 

Just Salad, founded in 2006, now has 34 locations in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago, Hong Kong and Dubai.