Saladworks
Saladworks is a fast-casual restaurant franchise founded in 1986, operating 100-plus U.S. locations under parent WOWorks. It serves health-conscious consumers with customizable salads, wraps, melts, and catering via dine-in, online ordering, and mobile apps.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersConshohocken, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Saladworks does
Saladworks is a fast-casual restaurant franchise founded in 1986 and operated as Saladworks, LLC, headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Under parent company WOWorks — which owns six better-for-you restaurant brands including Frutta Bowls and Barberitos — Saladworks operates more than 100 U.S. locations and offers a customizable menu of salads, wraps, melts, soups, kids' meals, sides, and beverages. Its flagship 'Create Your Own' platform lets customers select from over 60 ingredients (base, five toppings, premium protein, and dressing) at a $9.99 entry price point, alongside a rotating catalog of signature salads such as the Fuji Apple Crunch and Asian Crispy.
The technology layer supporting the restaurant operations consists of a restaurant point-of-sale system, an integrated online ordering platform (order.saladworks.com), iOS and Android mobile applications, an interactive nutritional and allergen widget, and a points-based loyalty rewards program (1 point per $1 spent) integrated across digital channels. Distribution is omnichannel across company-operated and franchise-owned dine-in locations, takeout, delivery, online ordering, mobile apps, catering (catering.saladworks.com, including salad bars, sandwich trays, grazer boards, boxed lunches, and bundles), and gift cards.
The business model is predominantly franchise-driven: revenue is generated from retail restaurant sales (transaction-based), franchise fees and new-location opening fees from 40 new agreements and 24 new openings reported across the WOWorks portfolio in 2025, catering transactions, and gift card sales. Primary customers are health-conscious individual consumers seeking fresh, customizable quick-service meals; secondary segments include corporate catering clients and franchisees. WOWorks has layered in a co-branding strategy — integrating Frutta Bowls into select Saladworks locations — and initiated international expansion with its first Canadian location in 2025.
Saladworks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Saladworks
- Legal name
- Saladworks, LLC
- Website
- https://saladworks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Saladworks is a fast-casual restaurant franchise founded in 1986, operating 100-plus U.S. locations under parent WOWorks. It serves health-conscious consumers with customizable salads, wraps, melts, and catering via dine-in, online ordering, and mobile apps.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Saladworks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fast-Casual Restaurants
- NAICS
- Limited-Service Restaurants (722513), Caterers (72232)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Salad & Bowl Concepts (Grain/Protein/Healthy Bowls) (THAFABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Healthy/Salad/Grain Bowl QSR (THAFAAAJ), Health & Wellness / Functional Fast Casual (macro-counted, high-protein, allergen-friendly) (THAFABAO), Corporate/Workplace Meal Programs & Bulk Prepared Meals (CRAHAJAJ)
Keywords
Where Saladworks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Conshohocken
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Saladworks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Retail Restaurant Sales: Direct restaurant sales to consumers for dine-in, takeout, and delivery orders featuring salads, wraps, melts, soups, and other food items
- Catering Services: Corporate and event catering including salad bars, wrap trays, sandwich trays, group salads, grazer boards, and boxed lunches for group gatherings
- Franchise Revenue: Revenue from franchise agreements including new location openings and franchise fees, with 24 new restaurant openings and 40 new franchise agreements in 2025 under parent company WOWorks
- Gift Cards: Sale of gift cards for use at Saladworks locations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Create Your Own Salad or Wrap |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Catering Bundles |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
Saladworks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Saladworks operates a fast-casual salad restaurant franchise chain that sells customizable made-to-order salads, wraps, melts, and soups with more than 60 fresh ingredients. Beyond restaurant sales, the company offers catering services for corporate and group events and runs a Saladworks Rewards loyalty program across in-store, online, and mobile channels.
Product overview
Saladworks is a fast-casual restaurant chain operating as part of the WOWorks portfolio of better-for-you dining brands. The company offers a build-your-own meal model where customers can create custom salads or wraps by selecting from over 60 ingredients. The core product portfolio includes Signature Salads, Wraps, Melts, Soups, Kids Works meals, Sides & Desserts, and Beverages. In addition to its restaurant offerings, Saladworks provides comprehensive catering services through its catering platform, featuring salad bars, sandwich trays, group salads, grazer boards, boxed lunches, and catering bundles. The company also operates a loyalty program called Saladworks Rewards, accessible via iOS and Android mobile applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Create Your Own Salad and Wrap Made-to-order customizable salads and wraps built from more than 60 fresh ingredients, served in fast-casual restaurants and via online and mobile ordering. Designed for individual diners seeking personalized, fresh meals.
- Signature Salads, Wraps, Melts, and Soups Pre-designed signature salads, wraps, melts, and soups available alongside the create-your-own menu for guests who prefer curated combinations.
- Kids Works and Sides & Desserts Kids meals and side/dessert items that round out the menu for families and individual diners visiting Saladworks restaurants.
- Beverages Beverage menu items sold alongside food at company-operated and franchised Saladworks locations.
- Saladworks Catering Catering service offering Salad Bar Catering, Sandwich & Wrap Trays, Grazer Boards, Boxed Lunches, and Catering Bundles for corporate meetings, training, and group events. Designed for office managers, event coordinators, and group organizers ordering meals for multiple people.
- Saladworks Rewards Loyalty rewards program that gives frequent diners benefits and incentives across Saladworks restaurants, online ordering, and the iOS/Android mobile apps.
- Saladworks Franchise Program Franchise program under which Saladworks licenses its brand, operating system, and menu to franchisees operating company-branded restaurants across the United States, supporting the brand's 100+ location footprint.
Companies that use Saladworks
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Saladworks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Saladworks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- WOWorks (Parent Company)flagshipSaladworks is a portfolio brand of WOWorks, a parent company operating six better-for-you restaurant brands. WOWorks reported strong growth in 2025 with 24 new restaurant openings and 40 new franchise agreements signed across key U.S. markets. The company expanded its co-branding strategy, integrating Frutta Bowls into select Saladworks locations, with 10 co-branded restaurants opened and results exceeding expectations in foot traffic, sales volume, and average check size. WOWorks also opened its first Frutta Bowls location in Canada.
- Frutta BowlscoreCo-branding partnership where Frutta Bowls has been integrated into select Saladworks locations. 10 co-branded restaurants opened with results exceeding expectations in foot traffic, sales volume, and average check size. This represents a strategic expansion of the co-branding model within the WOWorks portfolio.
- BarberitoscoreCo-branding partnership where Frutta Bowls has also been integrated into select Barberitos locations as part of the WOWorks co-branding strategy. This is part of the portfolio-wide approach to expand co-branded restaurant concepts.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Saladworks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Just Salad: Just Salad is a fast-casual salad chain with a customizable menu and reusable bowl sustainability program. Competes directly with Saladworks in the everyday healthy lunch segment.
- Tender Greens: Tender Greens operates fast-casual restaurants with customizable salads, bowls, and plates emphasizing fresh ingredients. Closely comparable to Saladworks in menu format and clientele.
- Sweetgreen: Sweetgreen is the leading fast-casual salad chain in the U.S., offering customizable salads, bowls, and plates. It directly competes with Saladworks on menu format, customization, target customer, and price point.
- Chopt Creative Salad Co. Chopt is a fast-casual salad restaurant chain offering customizable salads, wraps, and bowls in a similar build-your-own format. Closely comparable to Saladworks in menu, customer, and price positioning.
- CAVA: CAVA is a fast-casual Mediterranean bowl/ salad chain with a build-your-own menu. Comparable to Saladworks on customization, better-for-you positioning, and franchise/lifestyle brand appeal.
- Mad Greens: Mad Greens is a regional fast-casual salad chain offering customizable salads, bowls, and wraps. Comparable business model and customer to Saladworks, though smaller in scale.
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual franchise serving better-for-you food including wraps, salads, and bowls. Comparable to Saladworks on franchise model, healthy positioning, and target customer.
Broad incumbents
- Panera Bread: Panera Bread is a national fast-casual chain offering soups, salads, sandwiches, and bowls. Overlaps with Saladworks on salads, wraps, and catering, but operates at much larger scale and broader menu.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill: Chipotle is a major fast-casual chain with build-your-own bowls that compete for the same health-conscious lunch customer. Comparable in customization philosophy and scale, but different cuisine focus.
Emerging players
- Frutta Bowls: Frutta Bowls is a sister brand under WOWorks offering acai bowls, smoothies, and better-for-you items. Comparable to Saladworks on healthy positioning and as a co-branding partner within the same parent portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Saladworks social profiles
Digital presenceSaladworks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Saladworks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Saladworks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Saladworks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Saladworks
What does Saladworks do?
Saladworks operates a fast-casual salad restaurant franchise chain that sells customizable made-to-order salads, wraps, melts, and soups with more than 60 fresh ingredients. Beyond restaurant sales, the company offers catering services for corporate and group events and runs a Saladworks Rewards loyalty program across in-store, online, and mobile channels.
Is Saladworks a public or private company?
Saladworks is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Saladworks founded?
Saladworks was founded in 1986. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Saladworks based?
Saladworks is headquartered in Conshohocken, United States, in the North America region.
How does Saladworks make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Retail Restaurant Sales are the primary driver. The others are catering Services, franchise Revenue and gift Cards.
Who are Saladworks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Just Salad, Tender Greens, Sweetgreen, Chopt Creative Salad Co., CAVA, Mad Greens and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Broad incumbents are Panera Bread and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Frutta Bowls is listed as an emerging player.
Does Saladworks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Saladworks.
What industry is Saladworks in?
Saladworks's product category is Fast-Casual Restaurants. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFABAF, Salad & Bowl Concepts (Grain/Protein/Healthy Bowls), with a secondary code of THAFAAAJ, Healthy/Salad/Grain Bowl QSR. Its NAICS code is 722513.