Saladworks, the nation’s first and largest fresh-tossed salad franchise, is opening its Brandon, Florida, location in Brandon Lakes Plaza Shopping Center, 2020 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, Florida. This is the first of three locations for Calvin and Felicia Rucker of Tampa Bay.

Saladworks will also open its 34th New Jersey location in the Crosskeys Plaza, 444 Hurffville-Crosskeys Road in Sewell, New Jersey, in Washington Township.

Saladworks celebrates the opening of its Brandon and Sewell locations by offering $5 salads to all customers on March 19, 20, and 21.

Sewell, New Jersey

The Sewell Saladworks will be a family-run business. Parents Naresh and Panna Patel are putting the business in the hands of their newly married son and daughter-in-law, who will manage the day-to-day operations.

Kajal, who will take the lead, recently moved to Mullica Hill, New Jersey, from Oklahoma. Following college, both Naymish and Kajal dreamed of opening and running their own business. 

“I am looking forward to being an integral part of the Washington Township business community,” Kajal says. “I am eager to serve healthy salads, soup and sandwiches in a fast casual atmosphere.”

Southern New Jersey, where Saladworks was first born, is fondly called “salad country” by customers and industry experts alike.

“We are honored to open our 34th location in New Jersey, as it’s our home town,” says chairman and CEO John Scardapane. “We have been in this market for 26 years and it is the people of New Jersey that have made us a household name … Kajal and her family are a welcome addition to our team.” 

Brandon, Florida

After 25 years as a district manager for a fast food chain, Calvin Rucker was looking to open a business that not only aligned with his experience and health-conscious lifestyle, but also had a solid background and support system.

“Saladworks’ concept is one that Felicia and I wholeheartedly believe in, we lead a healthy lifestyle and want to help others do the same,” Calvin Rucker says. “Because of my experience in the restaurant industry, I know how important support is.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support that Saladworks has offered. We have welcomed the assistance every step of the way including finding our location, negotiating our lease, marketing, and opening our store.”

Florida is only one of many new states that Saladworks will embark upon in 2012.

“Expansion in areas outside of the Philadelphia market is an integral part of our growth plan,” says Scardapane. “The three-store agreement with the Ruckers in Tampa Bay is just the first step in making Saladworks a household name in, not only Florida, but along the entire East Coast. We’re excited to have Calvin and Felicia on board to help us accomplish that.

Denise Lee Yohn: QSR's Marketing Guru, Growth, News, Pizza, Saladworks