Salad and Go, a drive-thru chain specializing in fresh salads and wraps, has abruptly pulled back from its bold expansion, closing all locations in Texas and Oklahoma just months after reaching nearly 150 stores across four states. This retreat underscores the risks of rapid scaling in the healthy fast-food sector, leaving hundreds jobless and competitors poised to capitalize.
Hometown Origins and Meteoric Rise
Launched in 2013 in Gilbert, Arizona, Salad and Go tapped into demand for quick, affordable healthy meals through compact drive-thru outlets. The concept resonated with consumers seeking nutritious alternatives to traditional fast food, fueling steady growth. By late 2024, the chain had spread to Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Oklahoma, doubling its footprint in two years. A key milestone was the opening of a large central kitchen in Garland, Texas, intended to supply hundreds of locations.
Overextension Takes Hold
The aggressive push strained operations. In September 2025, 41 stores shuttered in Texas and Oklahoma, followed by 32 more announced for closure by January 11, 2026—all remaining outlets in those states. Leadership acknowledged overextending resources, with CEO Mike Tattersfield stating the company had neglected its Arizona base. The headquarters relocated from Coppell, Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona, marking a full withdrawal from the region.
Operational Strains and Safety Issues
Food safety problems exacerbated the challenges. Reports from Texas managers highlighted undercooked chicken served to customers, prompting a vendor change, though the company denied any illnesses. Maintaining quality across distant states proved unsustainable, compounded by logistical burdens from the expansive Texas kitchen, now redundant. These issues, alongside internal tensions over growth strategy, accelerated the pullback. Tattersfield, who assumed the CEO role in 2025 after leading Krispy Kreme and stints at Yum Brands and Lululemon, admitted the Texas overreach was a misstep.
Human and Economic Toll
The closures displace about 600 employees in Texas and Oklahoma, hitting communities in Dallas-Fort Worth hardest. Families face sudden uncertainty as stores vanish, disrupting local food options and economies. State workforce commissions are stepping in with aid, but the layoffs spotlight the fallout from unchecked expansion, especially under private equity backing from Volt Investment Holdings.
Refocus and Road Ahead
Now streamlined to Arizona and Nevada, Salad and Go plans to leverage centralized Phoenix kitchens for steady progress. Tattersfield forecasts at least 10% annual growth, emphasizing sustainable operations over nationwide sprawl. Rivals like Sweetgreen and Cava eye the vacated healthy drive-thru space, potentially easing vendor pressures while intensifying competition. This contraction mirrors industry trends, with chains like Rubio’s and Red Lobster also retrenching amid shifting demands. For Salad and Go, success hinges on rebuilding in core markets without repeating errors, as analysts question if the pioneer of affordable drive-thru salads can reclaim momentum in a maturing sector.
Sources:
“Salad and Go to close all Texas and Oklahoma locations, move HQ back to Arizona.” Phoenix Business Journal, 7 Jan 2026.
Salad and Go closing all Texas, Oklahoma locations.” CBS News Texas, 6 Jan 2026.
“Salad and Go to close 41 restaurants.” Nation’s Restaurant News, 16 Sep 2025.
“Current and former Salad and Go staff claim raw chicken served to customers.” CBS News Texas, 18 Feb 2025.