Operations
Saladworks' owner acquires The Simple Greek by Marcus Lemonis
March 12, 2021
WOWorks, the parent company of Saladworks, has added a big name to its portfolio. The Simple Greek — a Mediterranean franchise founded in 2015, in Youngstown, Ohio, by Marcus Lemonis of CNBC's "The Profit" — is now part of the company founded last year when it acquired Colorado-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and Frutta Bowls in New Jersey.
"I am very excited for the future of The Simple Greek," Lemonis said in a company press release. "Growing this brand over the last five years, has been an incredible journey, and at this time, it is in the best interest of our franchise owners to become part of a larger family of brands. This will provide them formidable buying power and resources that can help accelerate their growth."
The Saladworks management team will take over The Simple Greek infrastructure and operations. The transaction is set to be finalized on April 1, 2021, but terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"With all the benefits of joining the WOWorks family, it is in the best interest of our team and franchisees to make this transition," Ron Taylor, president and franchise owner of The Simple Greek, said in the release. "Our priority is looking out for the franchise owners during a climate that has been incredibly challenging for the restaurant industry."
WOWorks has more than 215 locations in the United States. Saladworks grew by more than 40 units in 2020, entering Canada, California, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Ohio, Florida and Indiana.
Non-traditional presences, including ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail, hospitals and universities, have been an avenue pf growth for the brand, with even more planned in 2021, including a deal with Ghost Kitchen Brands.
Frutta Bowls has 37 locations, and Garbanzo has 25.
