Salad and Go is closing all of its stores beginning Aug. 5.
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As reported by PEOPLE, the announcement comes after the popular drive-thru salad chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Why Is Salad and Go Closing?
At its height, Salad and Go operated over 70 locations throughout Arizona and Nevada. Not only did it sell salads at an affordable price, but it also offered wraps and breakfast items.
"While Salad and Go earned the support and loyalty of a deeply passionate community, the business was ultimately unable to overcome sustained pressure on consumer demand, past strategic growth challenges, and rising costs," the company said in a statement.
The recent outbreak of cyclosporiasis was not linked to the chain. However, the company said that it "weakened confidence across the industry and compounded these challenges."
"This is a painful day for everyone who built, worked for, and loved Salad and Go," said Mike Tattersfield, the company's CEO. "Our mission was brought to life every day by an extraordinary team and embraced by guests who made us part of their routines. We are proud of what we built together and grateful to every team member, guest, and partner who believed in it."
Salad and Go has been under new ownership for nearly five years. The chain had been aggressively trying to expand beyond the Southwest. However, earlier this year, it closed some of its locations.
"After assessing our business, we made the decision to exit our Texas and Oklahoma markets and refocus on strengthening our core operations in Arizona and Nevada," Tattersfield said in January.
Cars Are Lining up at the Drive-Thru One Last Time
Salad and Go first opened in 2013 in Gilbert, Arizona. The chain then expanded to the nearby Phoenix area. Dedicated customers counted on the restaurant for its affordability and offering good food at a low price. In fact, loyal customers are lining up today for one last salad before the company shuts down for good..
"I'm heartbroken. I'm here almost every day. This is an opportunity to have a good, satisfying, non-expensive meal on a daily basis," one customer said.
The original owners of Salad and Go, Tony and Roushan Christofellis, also released a statement. It was posted on the Instagram account of their new company, Angie's.
"Thirteen years ago, we started Salad and Go with a simple belief that great-tasting, good-for-you food should be affordable for everyone," the caption reads. "We dreamed that anywhere there was a McDonald's, there would also be a better and healthier alternative that people could afford."
