Saladworks Plans North Carolina Expansion

Fast-casual brand Saladworks has signed a deal that will bring 10 locations to North Carolina.

Saladworks will work with Zack Mixon, a local restaurateur and CEO of Mixon Foods, on the expansion. Mixon also oversees a drive-in restaurant and barbecue smokehouse, both in Washington, N.C.

The first location will open in Greenville, N.C., in Spring 2026, with additional locations planned for the Greenville-New Bern-Washington, Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville) and Wilmington DMAs.

Saladworks is part of WOWorks, which also includes Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, Z!Eats (formerly Zoup!), and The Simple Greek. Mixon plans to explore some of these other concepts, such as Frutta Bowls and Barberitos, as well as cobranding opportunities.

“We’re proud to welcome Zack into the WOWorks family with this significant agreement,” says Kelly Roddy, CEO of WOWorks, in the release. “His entrepreneurial drive, local market knowledge and personal commitment to healthier living perfectly aligns with our mission to deliver meaningful, nutritious dining experiences to our guests, and we could not have asked for a better partner to drive our expansion across North Carolina.”

Saladworks has more than 100 locations throughout the country and offers a menu of salads, warm grain bowls and wraps.

In January, FER shared this interview with Roddy about plans for Barberitos.