Salad and Go to close 41 locations as it refocuses on higher-performing markets

Salad and Go said it will close 41 locations, about a quarter of its restaurants, as it restructures to focus on higher-performing markets. The closures target a broad swath of Texas and a handful of other sites, with the company signaling a sharper emphasis on markets where it expects stronger performance. The move comes as the fast-casual segment contends with tighter consumer budgets and competition.

Closures will include all locations in Houston, San Antonio and Austin, along with a smaller number in Dallas and Oklahoma, while the company will keep open locations in Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas, according to The Street. The company spokesperson described the shuttering as a strategic recalibration designed to position Salad and Go for sustainable growth in the years ahead. The Street noted the company has been pursuing a more selective footprint as it seeks to accelerate investments in quality and innovation.

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CEO Mike Tattersfield, who took the helm in April after nine years as Krispy Kreme's president and CEO, said the decision was difficult but necessary. "Concentrating our efforts will allow us to strengthen the brand and invest more in improving quality, driving innovation, and building community," he said.

Tattersfield also emphasized that Texas will remain a core focus. "Our presence in Texas will remain strong in Dallas. We are reducing our footprint in Houston, Austin and San Antonio to allow us to focus on strengthening the Dallas Metro Area and Oklahoma. We continue to believe in the Texas market and its long-term potential," he added.

Salad and Go finished 2024 with 146 restaurants, more than triple the number it operated in 2021, according to data from Technomic, the market-research arm of Restaurant Business sister company Technomic. The salad chain is headquartered in Coppell, Texas, after moving from Tempe, Arizona, in 2024, and now operates two food production facilities in Phoenix and Dallas.

Known for its under-$10 meals, including salads, wraps and breakfast items, Salad and Go rose as an emerging disruptor in 2022 while expanding across Texas. The company has said the repositioning will help it invest in improving quality, expanding menu options, and expanding community-focused initiatives.

The broader quick-service sector has faced headwinds this year as post-pandemic consumer habits and inflation pressured budgets. Industry peers have also trimmed footprints: EVOS closed its remaining three locations earlier this year after years of expansion, TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy in late 2024 and closed about 100 locations, and Denny's closed 88 locations in 2024 with plans to shutter roughly 150 more by year-end. These moves reflect a difficult operating environment for many dine-in and quick-service brands, even as some chains pursue value deals to attract cost-conscious customers.

Analysts say Salad and Go's repositioning will be watched closely for implications on profitability and long-term growth. If the company can stabilize cash flow and concentrate on markets with stronger demand, it may be able to accelerate innovation and broaden its appeal while managing costs in a tighter economy.