Fresh Opportunities For Salad Creations
Salad Creations is branching out to health-conscious customers in affluent areas of Illinois and beyond.
Stephen O’Kane

Salad Creations plans to open two new restaurants in the Chicago area in the first quarter of 2007.

Salad Creations, a Margate, Florida-based national franchise that offers fresh salads, soups and wraps, is expanding even farther and fixing its eye on Illinois. The salad franchise restaurant was founded by Jeff Levine in 2003 and is focused on offering a fresh alternative to the fast food destinations that seem to be dominating the U.S. As people become more and more aware of the dangers of eating fast food, Salad Creations is there to cater to the growing number of consumers who are on the go, but still watching what they eat.

Each Salad Creations restaurant allows the customer to create his or her own salad, choosing from a variety of toppings and dressings. The consumer has a choice of more than 40 ingredients, which include fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and cheeses. In addition, more than 15 homemade salad dressings are offered, as well as daily soup specials, fresh wraps and smoothies.

“People have been yearning for this type of eating for years. However, no one previously has stepped forward with such a highly developed concept as Salad Creations,” says Phil Gershman, Salad Creations’ area developer in Illinois. “The food is the freshest it can be, the service is one-on-one and the guests can be eating their salads or wraps within 4 to 5 minutes of ordering. Each salad chef is trained not only in food preparation, but in customer service as well.”

With locations currently operating in Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Rhode Island and Mexico, the buzz around Salad Creations is beginning to spread. The restaurant plans to move into more states throughout the U.S., with Illinois leading the charge.

“Illinois’ demographics are some of the best in the U.S.,” says Gershman. “The counties of central and northern Cook, Lake, Dupage, Kendall and McHenry, the counties which we represent, fit the criteria of Salad Creations. There are millions of people in these counties that are looking for a fresh alternative to what is presently out there and Salad Creations fits the quest for that type of eating perfectly.”

Each Salad Creations restaurant offers the customer more than 40 ingredients to create their own salad.

Currently, there are two restaurants under lease in the downtown Chicago area, which are scheduled to open first quarter this year. Plans include up to 15 additional downtown Chicago locations by mid-2008, before expansion begins throughout the rest of the territory. “It sounds aggressive,” says Gershman, “but so are we in that quest to bringing an alternative to fast food dining.”

Gershman, along with his partner Michael Scott, plan to reach out to other markets as well. “We are in negotiations on stores in the near north side, Lincoln Park and Midway Airport. Shortly, we will begin looking at other airports and then this coming spring, we will begin franchising throughout the remainder of the areas under our development agreement. By 2014, we feel that 250 stores in these fast-growing counties are not out of the question.”

Salad Creations was founded by Jeff Levine in 2003.

The convenience of Salad Creations makes it a popular destination for those on the go, Gershman explains, but it’s the great food and excellent customer service that will bring them back again and again.

“Freshness and customer service are the keys here,” Gershman says. “Lettuce comes directly out of the wall chillers so that the lettuce is crisp and ice cold for the guest, prior to choosing the rest of their toppings. Except for the optional choice of protein, it’s a one-priced salad with no limit on the number of choices from over 30 vegetable items available. The salad chefs are very presentable in traditional white chef’s coats and a colorful tall chef’s hat. There is always a smile from the staff and a desire to be as helpful as one guest can expect, as well as overly thankful for that guest’s business.”

Salad Creations was named the second best franchise in 2006 by the Franchise Business Review and also placed 13th on the South Florida Business Journal’s “40 Fastest-Growing Private Companies.” In addition, Salad Creations was Number 2 in the “Best in Food Satisfaction” category in the Franchise Review Board’s 2006 Franchise Satisfaction Awards. With accolades such as these, it is no surprise that Salad Creations is receiving positive buzz about its new wave of healthy eating.


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