Saladworks Announces Agreement with Multi-Unit Franchise Developer

Saladworks, the nation’s first and largest fresh-tossed salad chain announced today it has entered into an agreement with RAMM Alliance LLC of Pennsylvania to open ten Saladworks locations throughout the Atlanta area. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The five-year agreement will allow RAMM Alliance to develop Saladworks locations in Peachtree Center, Buckhead, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Duluth, Buford, Lawrenceville, Athens and Peachtree City.  The first two locations will open in the next year.

“Today’s consumer is interested in living a healthy lifestyle, and we are very excited to expand our offerings to Atlanta,” said John Scardapane, Founder and CEO of Saladworks.  “This agreement marks another milestone in our progress to turbo-charge our growth nationally.”
To introduce the quick casual salad concept, Scardapane launched the original Saladworks at the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, NJ in 1986, where it became the No. 1 money earner at the food court, and remains the top earner today. Scardapane began Franchising the company in 1992. Currently, the company has 92 locations in eight states and Washington, DC, with more than $60 million in sales in 2007.

“What brought us to the Saladworks brand was the amazing commitment to customer service,” said RAMM’s Dean Russell.  “Our management team feels great service combined with fresh, healthy food offerings will help Saladworks succeed in the Atlanta area. We look forward to adding a little more ‘southern hospitality’ to the region. We may even consider putting peaches in our salad case!”

Prior to becoming a Saladworks multi-unit franchisee, members of RAMM Alliance, Dean Russell, Michael P. Medrow and Michael McPhillips started, developed, and operated the publicly owned UbiquiTel Inc., a provider of Sprint PCS digital wireless personal communications services to midsize and smaller markets in the Western and Midwestern United States.  Prior to being sold to Sprint Nextel, UbiquiTel Inc. built and operated over 50 retail store locations and over 750 “third party” locations. The company was sold to Sprint Nextel in June, 2006.

Last month, Saladworks announced a multi-unit deal for Boston, MA that will bring three locations to major downtown territories including Cambridge, Back Bay and the Financial District.

In February 2008, Vernon W. Hill II, founder of Commerce Bancorp. completed a major investment in Saladworks and joined the company as chairman of its executive committee.  

Additionally, Saladworks signed an agreement with renowned Franchise expert Ken Gordon in January for thirty stores in Florida. Gordon’s proven track record in franchising began in 1979, when he joined the non-franchised Mail Boxes Etc., which became The UPS store, and helped grow the “post office alternative” from just 1 unit to one of the most recognizable business brands  in the nation.

At the center of Saladworks continued growth and success are the core values created by Scardapane, including fanatical customer satisfaction provided to every customer at every Saladworks location. A key aspect of the Saladworks customer experience is their "Signature Salad Series" with salad recipes developed by celebrity chefs, such as the current “Avocadolicious Salad” by Philadelphia chef Hope Cohen.

“We aim to make each Saladworks customer a lifelong fan of our food,” said Scardapane. “We provide the freshest ingredients available to our customers to meet—and exceed-- their standards, while keeping our menu interesting.” In addition to salads, the company offers Panini’s, soups and wraps featuring recipes developed by Scardapane. 

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 92 franchise locations in eight states and 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 plans to 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.