News

Salads UP: 2 college grads answer to what Big 10 students want

October 5, 2016

Salads UP, currently with one location in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is opening its second location in the not-too-distant city of Madison, Wisconsin, according to a news release.

The North Frances Street restaurant is the initiation of the brand's plan to expand across the Big 10 campuses of the nation. The Wisconsin restaurant has a VIP event tonight, but will open officially on Monday, Oct. 10. 

Salads UP was founded by two University of Michigan 2013 graduates who thought their alma mater needed a new healthy, quick restaurant alternative. Aside from its namesake salads, the restaurant offers panini-pressed wraps, smoothies and sides, and recently introduced a breakfast menu, featuring egg wraps and breakfast bowls. The breakfast bowls, with quinoa, oatmeal or Greek yogurt bases,can be topped with apples, graham crackers, pretzels and peanut drizzle. 

"The concept is fast-casual health food," said co-founder Max Steir. "Customers go through a queuing system that acts similarly to the line at Chipotle. They watch directly as salads are chopped, paninis are pressed, and smoothies are blended right out in the open."

Co-founder Robert Mayer added, "In Michigan we saw a need for a high quality, delicious meal that was also fast, and thus, could fit into the busy lives of college students. All of our cooking and preparation is done on site every day, with an emphasis on featuring local ingredients. This includes everything from soups and dressings made from scratch, as well as chicken, steak, and shrimp roasted in-house. This attention to quality separates us from many of the restaurants students may traditionally find on their campuses."