There aren't many restaurant chains that offer affordable, healthy food nowadays, which was a major driver of this chain's rapid growth. But like many others in the quick-service industry, the chain has been hit by economic challenges and increased competition, leading it to make a difficult decision.

Despite offering meals under $11, the price wasn't attractive enough to prevent this growing quick-service chain from closing dozens of locations. 

Salad and Go will permanently close 41 restaurants nationwide to focus on higher-performing markets like Dallas and Oklahoma. Locations in Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas will not be affected and will continue operating as usual.

"Concentrating our efforts will allow us to strengthen the brand and invest more in improving quality, driving innovation, and building community," said Salad and Go CEO Mike Tattersfield in a statement.

The company has not released specific dates or locations for the closures. However, employees at Houston-area restaurants told Chron they were informed during a company meeting that their last day of operation will be September 19.

Salad and Go restaurant locations closing

• Houston
• Austin
• San Antonio
• Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area
• Oklahoma

Salad and Go aims for expansion with small-format stores

Founded in 2013 in Arizona, Salad and Go is a healthy quick-service restaurant chain known for its affordable bowls, salads, wraps, and breakfast items. It operates over 140 company-owned restaurants across Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nevada.

The company's locations are drive-thru only, with some as small as 750 square feet. This strategic store format has allowed the chain to nearly double its physical footprint over the past two years. 

In 2024, Salad and Go opened its largest central kitchen facility in Garland, Texas, which can support up to 500 locations within a 12-hour drive. Despite that investment, the company is now scaling back its footprint in four Texas cities.

Salad and Go shifts its business strategy amid changes

This isn't the first time Salad and Go has shut down locations in Texas. In early February of this year, the company closed a restaurant in Sugarland, Texas, barely a year after it opened. 

Leadership changes have also hit the company recently. In April 2025, Salad and Go appointed Mike Tattersfield as the company's new CEO and made him a minority owner following the departure of former CEO Charlie Morrison.

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"His mission-driven orientation and track record of brand building at multiple successful companies make him the ideal person to guide Salad and Go through its next chapter of growth and impact," said Salad and Go Director Florian van Rappard in a press release.

The recently announced closures could be part of Tattersfield's new growth strategy for Salad and Go.

Restaurant chains bet on value deals to win back customers

Over the last few years, the food service industry has faced sharp declines in foot traffic due to economic uncertainty, a slowdown in consumer spending, and rising food costs.

These pressures have forced several major restaurant chains, including Denny's, TGI Fridays, and Applebee's, to struggle with falling sales and mass closures. Some have even resorted to bankruptcy to pay off mounting debt.

The chances of long-term restaurant survival are already slim. According to Oysterlink, around 50% of restaurants close within five years, and only 34.6% survive past the 10-year mark.

To stay competitive, many chains have prioritized providing value to win back consumers, rolling out limited-time promotions and permanent value menu additions.

According to a recent study by Circana, half of the people who haven't recently dined out would be more likely to visit restaurants if prices were lower. 

While Salad and Go is a far more affordable option than many other healthy restaurant chains, it only offers one bundle meal, which costs around $11.

With industry giants launching extremely low-priced combos, like McDonald's  (MCD)  "$5 Meal Deals," Taco Bell's  (YUM)  "$5 Cravings Boxes," and Denny's "5 Slams Starting at $5," a $10 salad simply can't compete.

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