Franchising

Saladworks, Frutta Bowls investing in ghost kitchens

Provided

April 19, 2021

After acquiring Fruta Bowls and Garbanzo last year, Saladworks' parent company, WOWorks has partnered with Combo Kitchen, a franchise system that allows entrepreneurs to invest in ghost kitchens. The deal allows Combo Kitchen franchisees to add Saladworks or Frutta Bowls to their menus.

"What's powerful about this partnership is its mutual benefit for all parties involved. Our unique ghost kitchen model calls for proven brands, which Saladworks and Frutta Bowls exemplify," Combo Kitchen CEO Hossein Kasmai said in a company press release. "Saladworks and Frutta Bowls can experience exponential growth while Combo Kitchen handles all franchise sales, royalty collections and other operational responsibilities."

In the first 60 days of the partnership, Combo Kitchen signed Saladworks for 14 initial locations and predicts growing Saladworks and Frutta Bowls brands at a rate of five to seven locations monthly throughout the remainder of 2021.

In the past year, Saladworks has grown by more than 40 restaurant locations, entering new markets such as Canada, California, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Ohio, Florida and Indiana. Roughly 80% of these openings mark non-traditional presences, i.e. ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail, hospitals and universities.

Along with Saladworks and Frutta, WOWorks, formed in 2020, also owns Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, a Mediterranean restaurant concept, and The Simple Greek.