Saladworks announced an agreement with a multiunit developer for three locations in the Wake County, North Carolina, area, which includes Raleigh. The first Saladworks location in this market is slated to open in early 2011.

The new Saladworks franchisees are father-and-son team Baldev and Unmesh Patel. The Patels are no strangers to franchising, as Baldev owns and operates a number of quick-service restaurant concepts and hotels that his son helps to manage.

“We chose Saladworks because of the personal connection between the home office and the franchisees,” Unmesh Patel says. “We’re looking forward to working with the corporate team and bringing the Saladworks concept to a brand new market in North Carolina.”

Saladworks has grown substantially from its beginnings in a mall food court in Southern New Jersey. The concept provides its fresh, made-to-order, entrée-sized salads, soups, wraps, and fusion sandwiches in more than 100 locations coast to coast. The Wake County agreement marks another entrance into a new market by the franchise, following announcements for stores in Knox County, Tennessee, and Orange County, California.

“As we expand our presence across the country, we are excited to be moving into the Southern Region of the East Coast with such an experienced and qualified operator,” says Saladworks’ founder and CEO, John Scardapane. “Saladworks is thrilled to be bringing America’s best salads to the heart of North Carolina.”