Saladwork has signed an agreement with a multi-unit developer for eight restaurant locations in Orange County, California. Areas of interest for development include Irvine, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, and Mission Viejo. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

John Scardapane founded Saladworks in 1986 in Southern New Jersey on the principle of offering fresh, made-to-order, entrée-sized salads and signature soups as an alternative food offering for consumers on the go. The first Saladworks opened in a mall food court and it quickly became the highest grossing restaurant concept, easily lending itself to franchising opportunities.

Franchise broker, Tim Easton, facilitated the California agreement after the lead came into the Saladworks Home Office in Pennsylvania. “Even in this economy, Saladworks has proven that it is a sellable concept,” Easton said. “I look forward to seeing the chain thrive on the West Coast just as it has on the East.”

The operating franchisee had been researching concepts for the past eight years, and Saladworks was the first to fulfill his ideal franchise to bring to California. “I wanted to bring something new and exciting that people would talk about,” he said. “Saladworks is healthy, fresh, and visually beautiful. It’s a great fit for the people of Orange County.”