Saladworks' Parent Company Buys Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, Frutta Bowls

The parent company of Saladworks has acquired Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and Frutta Bowls. These three brands will share a common core DNA under the new holding company WOWorks, which exists not only to sate appetites but to serve as healthy, nutritious and flavorful food.

Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh is a fast-casual staple across the United States with its authentic, nutrient-rich dishes inspired by traditional, but not bound by it. Every order is customized to guest's liking, with choices from top-quality meats and plant-based proteins.

Frutta Bowls is a fast-casual menu that is made fresh-to-order with no sweeteners, no juices and no fillers added. 

"Today, we welcome both Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and Frutta Bowls to the WOWorks family," said Kelly Roddy, CEO of Saladworks as well as the new portfolio of brands within the WOWorks enterprise, fully owned by Centre Lane Partners LLC. "Like Saladworks, we believe Garbanzo and Frutta Bowls are complementary brands -- all sharing a core DNA based upon fresh, flavorful and healthy food along with a heart for hospitality served through convenient business channels, which appeals to our Millennial family and Gen Z guests. We are excited to leverage the appeal of these unique and differentiated brands – along with the added size, scale and shared resources – to benefit all stakeholders including our team members, guests, business partners and communities.

The Saladworks team will take over both brand's infrastructure and operations in its quest to drive explosive growth. Current Garbanzo CEO James Park will stay on following the acquisition as special advisor to the CEO.

WOWorks' brands are strategically positioned to tap four key macro growth trends:

• Demographics - Millennials and GenZ comprising over 60% of the U.S. population.
• Psychographics - A shared mindset valuing personalization, customization, self-expression and connection.
• Lifestyle - Viewing "Food as fuel" as guests seek out healthy, nutritious and satisfying dining options and experiences to support their healthy, active lifestyle.
• Convenience - include but are not limited to dine-in, carryout, online ordering, curbside pick-up, delivery, ghost kitchens, food trucks, virtual brands and stores within grocery retailers, airports, hospitals and military bases.

Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has thrown its way, Saladworks is coming out of 2020 a stronger brand, with the acquisitions and formation of WOWorks. This year alone, Saladworks has grown by more than 40 restaurant locations, entering new markets such as Canada, California, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Ohio, Florida and Indiana. Roughly 80% of these openings mark non-traditional presences, i.e. ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail, hospitals, and universities, as the brand continues to flex its muscles as an industry disruptor.