Salad and Go is closing 41 locations throughout Texas, or more than a quarter of its restaurants, in a major retrenchment at what had been one of the industry’s fastest-growing restaurant chains.
The closures represent about two-thirds of the chain’s Texas locations. The closures are in Houston, Austin and San Antonio as well as a few in the Dallas area. Salad and Go said it would concentrate on “strengthening” its presence in the Dallas Metro area along with Oklahoma, where it has 10 units.
“Today, we are making the decision to close 41 stores across the country,” Mike Tattersfield, who was named CEO in April, said in a statement. “Concentrating our efforts will allow us to strengthen the brand and invest more in improving quality, driving innovation and building community.”
Yet this is a major setback for a chain that was furiously opening locations in recent years. Salad and Go finished 2024 with 146 restaurants, more than triple the number it operated in 2021, according to data from Restaurant Business sister company Technomic.
But there have been sporadic media reports of closures earlier this year, including one in Arizona and another in Texas in February. One source estimated to Restaurant Business that the chain would have fewer than 100 locations after this current round of closures.
“While this moment is difficult, we know the change will ultimately give us the foundation we need to grow stronger and make delicious, nutritious food accessible to all,” Tattersfield said.
Salad and Go was founded in Arizona, which remains the brand’s stronghold. The chain was relatively little known outside its home market in 2022 when it surprisingly lured former Wingstop CEO Charlie Morrison over to the chain when it operated just 50 locations.
The company offered promise of a quick-service, drive-thru-focused concept that sold salads cheaply. Stores are small. There’s no indoor seating and all the prep work is done at production facilities.
The chain then furiously opened locations, particularly in Texas. But Morrison stepped down in November over a difference in strategy with the board of directors. He has since taken over as CEO of the sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s.
Salad and Go, owned by Volt Investment Holdings, later moved its headquarters to Texas and opened a large central kitchen facility in the state. The company then brought in Tattersfield, who has helmed Caribou Coffee, Einstein Restaurant Group and most recently was chairman of Panera Brands.
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