The first time John Scardapane presented his concept of a quick-casual all-salad eatery to the management of the Cherry Hill Mall, he was turned down.
‘They never saw anything like that,’ said Scardapane, founder and chief executive officer of Saladworks. ‘They didn’t feel it would the pay the rent that they needed to charge.’
After keeping at it for several months Scardapane was given the official OK to open his eatery, but only if he dedicated half the business to sandwiches. 2 months later, the sandwiches were removed from the menu.
‘The first year and a half we were the highest grossing concept in the mall food court,’ he said.
That was in 1986. From that one location in the Cherry Hill Mall, Saladworks has grown to 87 locations and now has a rapid-growth expansion plan to open 300 new stores nationwide in the next 4 years.
In 1989, Scardapane opened up the concept to franchisees.
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