Why Expensive Salad Chains Are Booming | Eater
"A venture-backed breakout that has aggressively expanded and cultivated a lifestyle brand, raising significant capital and opening many new locations while tying the food to music, chef collaborations, and local events. Programming has included its own music festival and artist partnerships (one high-selling collaboration was with Kendrick Lamar), as well as chef-driven pop-ups that highlighted food-waste-driven dishes. The menu is quasi-locavore and seasonally tuned — one section changes multiple times per year and regional variations are intentional — and the company leans heavily on tech (roughly 40% of orders via app, experiments with blockchain) and community ambassadors to drive cachet and convenience. Price points generally fall in the $9–$15 bowl range, and the brand is testing new restaurant formats and delivery as it scales." - Lisa Elaine Held
