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

Salad and Go said it will close 41 locations, or more than a quarter of its restaurants, as part of a strategic restructuring to sharpen its focus on higher-performing markets. All locations in Houston, San Antonio and Austin will close, along with a number of stores in Dallas and Oklahoma. The company will keep its remaining outlets in Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas open. CEO Mike Tattersfield said the move will allow the brand to invest in improving quality, driving innovation and building community, and that the decision, though difficult, is necessary. He noted that the Texas footprint would remain strong in Dallas, with plans to concentrate on strengthening the Dallas Metro Area and Oklahoma.

Salad and Go finished 2024 with 146 restaurants, more than triple the count it operated in 2021, according to Technomic. The Coppell, Texas–based chain moved its headquarters from Tempe, Arizona, in 2024 and now operates two production facilities in Phoenix and Dallas. The brand is known for its under-$10 meals, including salads, wraps and breakfast items, with drive-thru ordering as a hallmark. In 2022 the company described itself as an emerging disruption in the salad category and at that time aimed to have 90 locations by the end of 2022 and to double that by the end of 2023.

The closures come amid broader pressures in the quick-service sector. Earlier this year EVOS closed its remaining three locations; TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy in late 2024 and closed about 100 locations; Denny’s also closed a substantial number of locations in 2024. With post-pandemic consumer habits and tighter budgets weighing on dine-in chains, many operators have leaned into value deals and price-conscious menus offered by peers such as Applebee’s and Chili’s.

Market dynamics and regional focus appear central to Salad and Go’s strategy. While the company is retreating from several Texas cities, executives say Dallas will remain a core hub and Oklahoma will be targeted for growth. The decision reflects an overarching aim to strengthen the brand in markets with stronger demand signals while allocating capital and management attention to the most productive locations.Tattersfield emphasized the long-term potential of the Texas market and the need to invest in quality, innovation and community-building across the remaining footprint.

Operationally, Salad and Go is now anchored by two production facilities in Phoenix and Dallas, supporting its drive-thru–centric model that has helped keep menu prices low. The company had previously relocated its headquarters to Coppell, Texas, from Tempe, Arizona, in 2024, aligning its administrative operations with its expanding footprint in the Southwest. As the company pares back exposure in several Texas metros, it will likely lean on its strongest markets to sustain growth and profitability while monitoring performance in Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas.

Industry observers note that the broader fast-casual segment has faced headwinds from inflation, labor costs and shifting consumer preferences. Salad and Go’s strategic retreat to higher-performing markets mirrors a trend among peers seeking stability and efficiency in a difficult operating environment. Analysts say the move could help the chain preserve cash flow, invest in menu development and technology, and maintain a leaner footprint suited to a value-driven customer base. As the landscape evolves, investors will watch how the company balances aggressive unit closure with selective expansion in markets where demand remains robust.