Salad And Go Closes All Locations Permanently After Bankruptcy Filing

Salad And Go, a drive-thru chain known for its affordable salads, wraps, and breakfast burritos, is permanently closing all 70 of its remaining restaurants on August 5 following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The closure marks an end to a business that was once considered one of America's fastest-growing healthy dining concepts.

The parent company, And Go Concepts, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on August 4. At its peak, the company operated 146 locations across Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Oklahoma. The chain was founded in Gilbert, Arizona, in 2013 with the mission of offering fresh, healthy meals at fast-food prices through drive-thru-only restaurants.

Court filings indicate that aggressive expansion contributed to the company's downfall. Factors cited include opening stores with insufficient visibility and drive-by traffic, expanding faster than consumer awareness, and significant overhead costs associated with its centralized kitchen operation in Garland, Texas, which reportedly cost between $15 million and $20 million annually. Rising operating costs, higher fuel prices, weaker consumer spending, and lease obligations for previously closed stores were also mentioned.

Salad And Go also stated that an industry-wide slump following a July Cyclospora outbreak impacted the business. Although its produce was not implicated, the company reported that widespread media coverage reduced consumer confidence in leafy greens across the fast-casual restaurant sector. Executives noted that average customer traffic at some competitors fell significantly after news of the outbreak emerged, a decline that could be devastating in a low-margin business.

Mike Tattersfield, Salad And Go's chief executive, described the closure as an emotional moment, expressing pride in what the team and guests built. In a customer email, the company stated that while it earned the loyalty of a passionate community, it was ultimately unable to overcome sustained pressure on consumer demand, past strategic growth challenges, and rising costs.

The announcement has led to an outpouring of sadness from customers online, with many attributing the chain's decline to its acquisition by private equity investors in 2020. Some commenters noted a decrease in quality and an increase in prices after the acquisition. Others expressed hope that Angie's Prime Grill, launched by Salad And Go's original founders after they exited the company in 2021, might fill the void.

Customers who frequented the remaining restaurants in Arizona and Nevada on their final days expressed heartbreak over losing an affordable and healthy option. Employees reported that many stores planned to remain open until they ran out of food before closing their doors permanently. Salad And Go's closure adds to a challenging year for the fast-food and casual dining industry, which is facing pressures from rising costs, cautious consumer spending, and intense competition.