Giardino Gourmet Salads, a South Florida-based fast casual concept focused on garden-to-bowl nutrition, is expanding its South Florida footprint once again with the grand opening of its two newest locations in North Fort Lauderdale and Davie, Florida. The North Fort Lauderdale restaurant is located at 1527 North Federal Highway in the Plaza del Mar shopping center and the Davie restaurant is located at 1906 South University Drive in the Tower Shops shopping center. Combined, these two new restaurants mark the fourth and fifth locations open in Broward County for the South Florida-based Giardino Gourmet Salads with another 15 restaurants spread out across the region.
“As part of our strategic development plan, we’re focused on building restaurants in vibrant communities with a diverse customer base where there is a real need for alternatives to traditional fast casual food,” says Giardino Gourmet Salads co-founder and board member Kenny Lugo. “Combined, we now have five restaurants in Broward County and we will continue to grow across the region with a laser focus on finding the right owners and real estate that sets up the brand for success while creating memorable experiences that have our guests coming back for more.”
Giardino Gourmet Salads began with a vision in 2004 by founders Ody and Kenny Lugo, a former Miami-Dade County teacher and Miami-Dade County firefighter respectively. Today, the fast casual salad, wrap and bowl concept sees room for additional 10 units across greater Broward County, including a Downtown Fort Lauderdale location, over the next few years.
“North Fort Lauderdale is a new hub for local activity and businesses and we’re looking forward to being an important part of that,” says Victor Aldrich, owner and operator of Giardino Gourmet Salads in North Ft. Lauderdale. “There is a genuine need here for real, simple food that is handcrafted for people that are focused on nutrient-rich ingredients. We’re thrilled about providing the neighborhood with an alternative to traditional fast food and becoming a bigger part of the community as we grow.”
Giardino Gourmet Salads menu includes globally inspired salads, wraps, grain bowls, soups and sandwiches. What sets Giardino Gourmet Salads apart from the competition is its one-of-a-kind approach to the guest experience and its focus on Nutritional Empowerment. Every guest has the ability to customize a wide variety of salads, wraps and grain bowls per their nutritional needs from more than 60 fresh ingredients including an extensive variety of freshly chopped leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, proteins, 30 different dressings, homemade deli salads, sauces, and daily baked homemade croutons.
According to Gabriel Exposito, owner and operator of Giardino Gourmet Salads in Davie, “Western Broward County continues to grow both economically and in population, which has created a vibrant and thriving community. With Nova University, the Miami Dolphins training facility and a large number of new residential developments within just a few miles of our restaurant, there is a growing need for this type of concept that is designed around today’s fast-paced world. We’re excited to put the power of choice back into the hands of our guests through our Nutritional Empowerment initiatives while meeting their specific needs and lifestyles.”
Throughout February, both the North Fort Lauderdale and Davie locations will be celebrating their grand openings with live music, prize giveaways and free samples of signature menu items. Giardino Gourmet Salads other Broward County restaurants are located in Weston, Sunrise and Miramar. The brand weighs daytime and residential population as well as proximity to schools and community centers when considering location options.
“We take development very seriously and that is reflected in the quality of our owners and the locations in which we operate restaurants,” says Julio Ramirez, Giardino Gourmet Salads board member and franchise development advisor. “Our mission is to be a part of the community for a very long time and we’re doing that through smart and deliberate growth. That’s why we’re so excited about what Gabriel, Victor and their respective teams are going to bring to the Broward County market.”
The Giardino Gourmet Salads in North Ft. Lauderdale is located at 1527 North Federal Highway in the Plaza del Mar shopping center. The restaurant offers both catering and delivery and is open Monday – Friday, from 11: a.m. – 9:00 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. For more information on the North Ft. Lauderdale Giardino Gourmet Salads, call 954-563-4154, visit giardinosalads.com or follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The Giardino Gourmet Salads in Davie is located at 1906 South University Drive in the Tower Shops shopping center. The restaurant offers both catering and delivery and is open Monday – Sunday, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
