Founding Just Salad in his 20s, Nick Kenner built a growing fast-casual brand that has seen 30 consecutive months of same-store sales growth, with 2019 comp sales up 18%. It’s achieved that growth while focused on an accessible price point—average check is 15-20% lower than other salad chains, says the brand—and growing its off-premise and digital ordering business, achieving 40% digital sales. Kenner’s focus on innovative thinking led the chain to launch Health Tribes, a digital-only concept that features diet-specific options, available only through Grubhub and orderjustsalad.com.
As he’s grown the brand, Kenner has been dedicated to sustainability efforts, setting the stage for other brands to follow. “Since the founding of Just Salad in 2006, we have been focused on being an everyday solution to health and sustainability for our customers,” he says. “We’re proud to have spurred numerous sustainability initiatives across the business. We are committed to being good stewards for the environment.” That includes efforts such as a reusable bowl program, a transition from plastic to biodegradable fiber bowls, in-house organic composting and a goal to send zero waste to landfills by 2022.