WOWorks is accelerating its expansion across North America after opening 23 new restaurants in 2026 and announcing plans for 15 additional locations. The company, which operates Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, Barberitos, The Simple Greek, and Zoup! Eatery, now has nearly 240 restaurants and remains on track to open almost 40 new locations by the end of the year. The latest wave of development reflects growing consumer demand for healthier, customizable meals while reinforcing the company's commitment to strategic franchise growth.
The new restaurants span markets across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast, including Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, and Texas. WOWorks has also entered Canada for the first time with a Frutta Bowls location in Cambridge, Ontario. Beyond traditional retail spaces, the company is expanding into universities and healthcare facilities, including the University of Georgia, the University of Notre Dame, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. These locations position the brands where consumers increasingly seek convenient, fresh dining options throughout the day.
A defining element of WOWorks' growth strategy is its emphasis on co-branded restaurants. Nearly half of the company's openings this year combine complementary concepts under one roof, such as Saladworks with Frutta Bowls or Barberitos with Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh. The model allows franchisees to maximize available space, diversify menu offerings, and generate additional revenue from existing real estate. Several operators have also introduced Frutta Bowls into established single-brand restaurants, creating new sales opportunities without requiring entirely new developments.
Chief Executive Officer Kelly Roddy said consumers continue to gravitate toward food that is fresh, customizable, and aligned with their lifestyles. He added that franchisees are expanding within the WOWorks platform because the portfolio offers complementary brands that work well together while serving changing consumer preferences. The company's ability to support growth across retail centers, campuses, healthcare environments, and international markets demonstrates the flexibility of its franchise model and positions it for continued expansion throughout the remainder of the year.
As restaurant portfolios grow across multiple locations and brands, maintaining clear financial oversight becomes increasingly important. Financial Reporting helps franchise operators consolidate performance data, monitor profitability across individual units, and identify trends that support long-term expansion planning. For multi-brand systems similar to WOWorks, having centralized financial insights enables owners to evaluate investments more effectively while ensuring every new location contributes to sustainable franchise growth.
