Saladworks Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Salad restaurant franchise offering a wide variety of made-to-order salads, wraps, and grain bowls, focusing on fresh and healthy ingredients.

Saladworks, the pioneer in entrée salads, started its journey in 1986 and began franchising in 2001.This franchise emphasizes fresh, customized salads, presenting a health-conscious option within the fast-casual dining industry.

Based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Saladworks sets itself apart by offering a wide range of fresh, tasty, and healthy meals, meeting the increasing demand for nutritious dining choices.

Over the years, Saladworks has grown its presence significantly, with numerous locations across the United States. The franchise's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned it a loyal customer base and positive reviews.

Each Saladworks location ensures that ingredients are fresh and sourced responsibly, providing a consistent and delightful dining experience. In addition to their signature salads, Saladworks also offers a variety of soups, sandwiches, and wraps, catering to diverse tastes and dietary needs.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $35,000
Architectural Plan Review $0 - $1,000
Architect Fees $13,500 - $15,500
Permits & License Fee $1,500 - $5,000
Leasehold Improvements $250,000 – $325,000
Equipment $150,000 - $165,000
Furniture $14,000 - $22,000
Millwork $40,000 - $55,000
Smallwares $10,000 - $12,500
Exterior Signage $6,000 - $14,000
Interior Signage and Graphics $1,000 – $2,500
Technology Systems $25,000 - $32,000
Grand Opening Marketing $15,000
Uniforms, Menu Materials, Office Supplies $3,500 - $4,500
Travel & Living Expenses While Training $0 - $7,500
Opening Inventory $9,000 - $14,500
Insurance – 3 Months $1,500 - $3,500
Additional Funds – 3 Months $15,000 - $35,000
Total $590,000 - $764,500
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $35,000
Architectural Plan Review $0 - $1,000
Architect Fees $13,500 - $15,500
Permits & License Fee $1,500 - $5,000
Leasehold Improvements $250,000 – $325,000
Equipment $150,000 - $165,000
Furniture $14,000 - $22,000
Millwork $40,000 - $55,000
Smallwares $10,000 - $12,500
Exterior Signage $6,000 - $14,000
Interior Signage and Graphics $1,000 – $2,500
Technology Systems $25,000 - $32,000
Grand Opening Marketing $15,000
Uniforms, Menu Materials, Office Supplies $3,500 - $4,500
Travel & Living Expenses While Training $0 - $7,500
Opening Inventory $9,000 - $14,500
Insurance – 3 Months $1,500 - $3,500
Additional Funds – 3 Months $15,000 - $35,000
Total $590,000 - $764,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

The franchisor offers a comprehensive initial training program tailored for franchisees and their management teams. This program is essential for equipping franchisees with the knowledge and skills needed to operate their Saladworks restaurant in accordance with the brand’s high standards and procedures. Key elements of the training program include:

Initial Training Program

Prior to opening, franchisees and up to three of their management personnel receive initial training at no cost, provided they attend simultaneously. This training encompasses all crucial aspects of restaurant management, including financial controls, bookkeeping, food preparation, service and operational techniques, marketing and advertising strategies.

Refresher Training Programs

Periodically, the franchisor may offer refresher training programs or seminars to keep franchisees, managers, and their teams updated on the latest operational practices, menu innovations, and other important changes. Attendance at these sessions is at the franchisee’s expense, with a maximum requirement of four programs per year, not exceeding eight business days in total.

Training for Franchisee’s Personnel

The franchisor also provides training materials for franchisees to use in training their staff. These materials are periodically updated and are the property of the franchisor, ensuring that the franchisee’s personnel are consistently trained to meet the brand’s standards.

Territory Protection

The franchisor provides a form of territory protection for Saladworks franchises, though it comes with specific limitations and conditions. While you won’t be granted an exclusive territory and may encounter competition from other franchisees, franchisor-owned outlets, or other franchisor-controlled brands, the franchisor does make certain commitments.

They pledge not to solicit orders or establish and operate, nor license anyone else to establish and operate, any Saladworks restaurant using the System and Proprietary Marks within your designated territory, as long as you adhere to the franchise agreement terms.

The scope and size of your territory are determined solely by the franchisor, considering factors like location, traffic patterns, parking availability, and area demographics.

Competitors

Below are some of

Saladworks

key competitors in the

Healthy

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

88

New
+
-6%
-6%

$35,000

$590,000

$765,000

n.a.

$800,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Bango Bowls

Bango Bowls is a health-food café franchise offering acai bowls, smoothies, and fresh-fruit breakfast meals, serving health-conscious consumers and active lifestyles, and known for vibrant flavour combos, social-media appeal, and grab-and-go convenience.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$177,000 - $615,000

Sidewalk Juice

Sidewalk Juice is a juice and smoothie franchise offering fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and wellness shots, serving health-conscious customers, and known for natural ingredients, made-to-order drinks, and bright, minimalist cafés.

Franchisees

?

6
+
50%
50%
Investment

?

$262,000 - $2,046,000

Fruitfull

Fruitfull is a dessert and beverage franchise offering fruit-forward treats, smoothies, and refreshing specialty items, serving health-minded dessert seekers, and known for vibrant flavors, customizable options, and a bright, cheerful café experience.

Franchisees

?

15
+
-48%
-48%
Investment

?

$91,000 - $218,000

The Fresh Monkee

The Fresh Monkee is a health food franchise offering smoothies, cold-pressed juices, bowls, and wellness beverages, serving health-conscious consumers, and known for clean ingredients, transparency, and energetic brand presence.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$155,000 - $317,000

VARA Juice Restaurant

VARA Juice Restaurant is a health-focused franchise offering fresh juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and plant-based meals in a clean, modern setting.

Franchisees

?

3
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$252,000 - $648,000

Project LeanNation

Project LeanNation is a health-focused meal prep and nutrition franchise providing balanced, macro-friendly meals designed for fitness enthusiasts and busy professionals.

Franchisees

?

28
+
300%
300%
Investment

?

$238,000 - $354,000