As more consumers look for a healthy alternative to “fast” food, restaurants are updating their menus to satisfy consumer demand. Looking to help manage the rising demand, fresh&co is targeting New Jersey for its next expansion wave.
While no locations have been formally announced, fresh&co co-Founder and CEO George Tenedios believes the region can hold as many as 11 locations—both corporate and franchisee owned. The restaurant plans to establish a presence throughout New Jersey with special attention to the communities of Jersey City, Hoboken, Bridgewater, Paramus, West Orange, Summit and Princeton over the next several years.
The New Jersey growth plans come on the heels of the company’s recent franchisee signing for a three-unit development agreement in West Chester County. Additionally, the expansion waves are a part of a larger initiative that fresh&co has created to expand into other states along the East Coast including Long Island and Florida.
“We believe in a better food future, based on local and organic farming. We believe in supporting local suppliers, cooking from scratch, and eating seasonal ingredients that are so fresh you actually can taste the difference,” says Tenedios, noting that 66 percent of American consumers say they are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers locally sourced food items. “When we opened our first fresh&co in 2010, our goal was to create a unique menu that removed the stereotype that food can’t be nutritious and full of flavor. Having achieved that goal and receiving so much positive feedback that has led us to opening 19 locations, we look forward to bringing our one-of-a-kind dining experience to the communities of New Jersey.”
fresh&co’s chef-inspired menu uses seasonal, local and organic ingredients from carefully chosen suppliers and growers to create flavorful meals that accommodate an array of dietary choices and needs. Staying true to its Just made. Just for You. slogan, the brand has collaborated with both chefs and nutritionists to design a natural, healthy, and delicious menu that offers options for carnivores, vegetarians, vegans and those with gluten intolerances. From salads and quinoa bowls to homemade soups, fresh-made sandwiches and cold-pressed juices, fresh&co is the go-to spot for hungry consumers who want a healthy meal—fast.
In addition to partnering with local suppliers, fresh&co acquired its own farm in Orient, New York where they supply fruits and vegetables directly to their NYC restaurants to provide the ultimate from-farm-to-desk experience.
“We are so excited to be at the forefront of a healthy eating movement,” says Tenedios. “We are changing the way consumers view healthy eating by providing a unique combination of tasty, good-for-you and inexpensive alternative to the options currently offered in the New Jersey area.”
fresh&co only uses vegetarian-fed, hormone-free poultry and meats, along with non-GMO, natural, ands wherever possible, organic ingredients. The restaurants serve three meals a day, and snacks and juices too, for round-the-clock visits.
