Hill, Founder of Commerce Bank, Joins Saladworks

John Scardapane, Founder and Chairman of Saladworks, Inc. announced today that Vernon W. Hill II, Founder and Retired Chairman of Commerce Bancorp, (NYSE: CBH) has made a major investment in Saladworks and has joined the company as Chairman of the Executive Committee. 

Hill commented; “John has created America’s leading salad Restaurant company with 88 stores and many more coming.  Saladworks shares my vision that in every great company, customers can become fans if we create a memorable exciting experience.  I look forward to working with the entire Saladworks team as we expand this exciting concept Nationwide.  We two entrepreneurs will be a great team.”

Scardapane added, “Years ago, as I was developing the infrastructure that has supported the Saladworks growth to date, I patterned our values and ideals after Vernon Hill and Commerce Bank.  I am now humbled to work side by side with Vernon, who grew Commerce Bank from one office to 500 in 9 states by reinventing the customer experience.  His legendary skills in branding, development and management will no doubt turbo charge Saladworks to the next level.”

Vernon Hill brought new life to the banking industry almost 40 years ago.  Similarly, John Scardapane defied the odds by introducing a fast casual restaurant serving entrée sized salads.  Both men attribute customer service to their success.  Providing unmatchable customer satisfaction to consumers on the east coast, both Scardapane and Hill worked concurrently to change the face of their respective industries.  Years later, their common goals, culture and visions have aligned to form a partnership that will be certain to make Saladworks a household name across the entire Nation.

ABOUT SALADWORKS
From the time entrepreneurial chef John Scardapane opened the first Saladworks in Cherry Hill, NJ in 1986, the enterprise has emerged as a leader in the quick-casual food arena offering tasty and healthy alternatives to other Fast Food chains.  By giving customers only the freshest ingredients expertly prepared in front of them, Saladworks has developed a unique, proven and successful concept.

Saladworks, the nation’s first and largest fresh-tossed salad Franchise concept, operates 91 franchise locations in eight states including Washington, D.C.  The chain has enjoyed more than a 20 percent growth rate for the last few years and is on track to greatly exceed that rate of growth over the next five years.  With the addition of Commerce Bank founder Vernon Hill II, Saladworks will open its 1,000th store in 2012, utilizing a “turbo-charged” growth model.  Saladworks locations offer a healthy menu of flavorful salads with signature dressings, as well as complimentary menu items.