Salad and Go Shutters Dozens of Stores Amid Strategic Refocus: What’s Next for the Drive-Thru Salad Chain

Salad and Go is closing 41 locations across Texas as part of a broader strategy to refocus operations under new leadership. Here’s what this means for customers, employees, and the future of the brand.

Major Closures Hit Salad and Go as Brand Refocuses in Texas

Salad and Go, the drive-thru restaurant chain known for fresh salads, wraps, and breakfast burritos, has announced the closure of 41 of its locations, including all outlets in Houston and dozens of stores across Austin, San Antonio, and parts of Dallas-Fort Worth. The chain says the decision is part of a strategic refocus under new leadership aiming to strengthen brand presence, improve operational efficiency, and stabilize costs amid challenging economic conditions.

New Leadership, New Strategy

Earlier in 2025, Salad and Go appointed Mike Tattersfield as its Chief Executive Officer. With decades of leadership in restaurant and retail industries, he has begun guiding the company into what he calls its next phase of growth. Under his watch, the chain is evaluating which outlets are profitable, which need improvement, and which should be shuttered to concentrate efforts on stronger markets. The recent closures are part of this larger rebalancing act.

Scope of the Store Closures

A total of 41 stores are being shut down, many in Texas, with Houston facing a full retreat. Stores in Austin, San Antonio, and certain Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs are also affected. Some in Dallas are believed to remain open, but the exact number of closures by city may vary. These store closures are scheduled to complete by a set date in mid-September, with employees being notified recently during internal meetings.

Why the Chain is Pulling Back

The reasons behind the closures are multifaceted. Rising operational costs—including labor, real estate, and supply chain expenses—have stretched margins. Inflation has increased food cost, making fresh ingredients more expensive. Some locations reportedly underperformed, failing to generate sufficient customer traffic or revenue to justify ongoing expenses. The leadership believes that by scaling back in weaker markets, the company can focus resources on higher-performing regions and improve overall financial health.

Customer Reactions & Brand Loyalty

Regular customers in Houston and surrounding areas expressed disappointment, pointing out that Salad and Go offered a relatively affordable healthy fast-food option. Social media posts mention how the convenience of drive-thru salads appealed to busy customers, workers, and those seeking healthier alternatives. Some longtime patrons say they dined at the affected locations often and feel the closures reduce access to healthy food in their neighborhoods.

Employee Impact and Morale

Employees at closing locations have been told their last operating days, and many are facing job displacement. Staff reactions range from shock to anxiety over future employment. The company has reportedly held internal meetings to communicate decisions, but some feel the messaging about support or reassignments has been inconsistent. Those in the stores not closing are concerned about increased workloads or changes to operations as the company shifts priorities.

Previous Food Safety Concerns Surface Again

Earlier this year, Salad and Go came under scrutiny from current and former employees who raised concerns about undercooked chicken being served. Some employees claimed that packages of chicken received from a supplier showed signs of undercooked poultry, and that internal corporate communication dismissed these issues as quality concerns rather than safety risks. Following the backlash, the chain changed vendors for its chicken supply and made promises to tighten food safety protocols across all locations. While management maintains that no health authority found violations, the issue remains fresh in customer minds, especially amid store closures.

Financial and Market Pressures

The restaurant industry in 2025 faces rising input costs, labor shortages, and shifting consumer behavior. Fast-casual chains and drive-thru concepts must balance affordability with quality, which gets harder when food and real-estate inflation squeeze margins. Salad and Go’s model—fresh produce, drive-thru sales, limited dine-in—offers advantages in efficiency, but not all sites are equally profitable. Some locations in dense urban or high-cost regions struggle more than others. The recent closures suggest that the company is adjusting course to remain competitive under these pressures.

Brand Identity: Fresh, Affordable, Convenient

Throughout its growth, Salad and Go has leaned heavily into its identity as a healthy, convenient, and relatively affordable alternative to both fast food and more premium salad chains. Menu items are simple yet fresh, with vegetarian and protein-options, fresh dressings, and limited indoor space. The drive-thru model has been central. As the company refocuses, it appears determined to preserve this identity, even if it means pulling out of certain geographic regions where overhead or competition make it harder to maintain margins.

What’s Next: Recovery, Refocus, and Regions to Watch

Following the closures, Salad and Go is signaling that it aims to double down on its stronger states—Arizona, Oklahoma, Nevada, and select parts of Texas not affected. The company plans to evaluate performance metrics more closely and invest in infrastructure that supports expansion in solid growth areas. That may include updating central kitchens, optimizing supply chain logistics, improving customer experience, and exploring tech-driven efficiencies such as mobile ordering, digital loyalty, and drive-thru speed enhancements.

Menu, Innovation, and Expansion Plans

Even as some stores close, Salad and Go continues menu development. The chain has introduced meal bundles designed for people looking for convenience without sacrificing health. Seasonal menu items, such as fresh lemonades or limited-time specials, help attract returning customers. Innovation in packaging, speed of service, and customer engagement (loyalty programs, app features) are seen as key pillars of future growth. Expansion will likely be more conservative than past hyper-growth, with management emphasizing sustainable profitability over sheer store count.

Risk Factors to Monitor

Several risks remain. The closures could hurt brand perception if customers view them as signs of instability. Food safety history adds to the risk of negative publicity. Rising costs—of produce, labor, fuel—may continue to squeeze margins. Competition from similar chains and virtual/ghost kitchens offering healthy and fast options is intense. Also, regional variability—some markets recovering more slowly than others—means what works in one state may not in another. Supply chain disruptions or regulatory changes also pose potential threats.

Long-Term Outlook for Salad and Go

For Salad and Go, the long-term path seems to be toward leaner operations, selective growth, and stronger brand loyalty. If the refocusing delivers improved profit margins and better customer satisfaction in the retained markets, the chain could stabilize and potentially look to re-enter some closed markets under stronger conditions. Building trust after safety concerns, ensuring consistent food quality, and optimizing operations will be essential to regaining momentum.

Conclusion

Salad and Go is at a critical juncture. The closure of dozens of stores marks a pullback from aggressive expansion, but also an opportunity to recalibrate. New leadership is steering the brand toward sustainable profit, stronger customer relationships, and operational stability. For customers in impacted areas, the closures are undoubtedly disappointing, but for the chain overall, this may be a necessary step to retain its identity as a healthy, convenient, and accessible option. The coming months will reveal whether the strategy pays off and whether Salad and Go emerges stronger, leaner, and more trusted in the fast-food salad category.