Green + The Grain: Elevating the Salad Experience

Green + The Grain is a contemporary salad restaurant founded in 2014 by Tiffany Hauser in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Initially launched as a food truck, the brand expanded to its first retail location in 2015 and has since grown to include multiple metro locations across the U.S.

In October 2023, Green + The Grain Franchising LLC was established, and the company began offering franchises in April 2024. The franchise model focuses on high-traffic urban markets, emphasizing a streamlined, single-daypart operation with dine-in, online ordering, and catering services.

The menu at Green + The Grain features globally inspired salads and wraps, such as The Farmer, Apple + Pear, and Thai Beef Tenderloin, all crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

The brand differentiates itself through its commitment to quality, experience, balance, and gratitude, encapsulated in what they call "The Proprietary Ingredient," which influences every aspect of their operations.

Training

Green + The Grain offers a comprehensive and structured training program for franchisees and their staff to ensure proper execution of brand standards and business operations. The training programs include both virtual and in-person components designed to prepare new franchisees and their key personnel effectively.

1. Initial Training Program: Franchisees and their Operating Principals must attend a training program comprising various online modules, five days of in-person training at the brand’s Minneapolis-based affiliate location (referred to as "University"), and five days of onsite training at the franchisee’s location. This training must be completed before opening the restaurant.
2. Training for Additional or Replacement Managers: Any new or replacement general manager must also complete the franchisor’s training program. If a trainee fails the program, they may reattempt, but failure on the second try could lead to termination of the franchise agreement.
3. Grand Opening Assistance: The franchisor provides on-site training support during the restaurant’s opening for up to five days. If more days are requested or deemed necessary, the franchisee is responsible for additional fees and expenses.
4. Ongoing and Refresher Training: Green + The Grain may require ongoing training at designated locations or virtually. This includes training related to new systems, operational procedures, or brand developments and may be a condition for contract renewal.
5. Mandatory Meeting Attendance: Franchisees and their Operating Partners are required to attend various meetings or conferences related to training and business operations. These sessions are typically short (no more than three days), and attendance is at the franchisee’s expense.

Territory Protection

Green + The Grain provides limited territory protection to its franchisees through a designated area outlined in the franchise agreement. While franchisees are not granted exclusive territory rights, they are assigned a "Designated Area" where no other Green + The Grain restaurants—either franchised or company-owned—will be established during the term of the agreement.

This area may be defined by specific geographic markers like street boundaries or a drawn map. However, this protection does not prevent the franchisor from conducting business outside the designated territory or through alternative distribution channels. Green +

The Grain retains the right to operate in nontraditional locations such as airports, college campuses, and military bases, even if they are within a franchisee’s Designated Area. Franchisees also cannot claim exclusivity over sales made online or through other forms of electronic commerce initiated by the franchisor.