Salad Station Expands to Germantown with Second Tennessee Franchise
Embarking on a career shift from a lengthy tenure in the salon industry, Arlington resident Kendall Woodard is set to introduce Salad Station’s latest franchise to the Shops of Forest Hill. Specializing in customizable salads, the restaurant is slated for an early 2024 opening. Salad Station originated in 2012 in Hammond, Louisiana, and began franchising three years later.
Woodard, previously immersed in the beauty industry for over two decades, felt a desire for change and found an unexpected opportunity in the food service sector. The inspiration struck when one of her clients shared a positive experience at a soup and salad establishment in Texas, expressing a longing for a similar concept in Memphis.
In a humorous nod to technology, Woodard mentioned, “You know Facebook is always listening to us,” recounting how an ad for Salad Station appeared on her social media feed the day after their conversation. seizing the chance, she clicked on the ad and learned that the restaurant was actively seeking a franchisee in the Memphis area.
Despite never having visited Salad Station before, Woodard drove to Jonesboro, Arkansas—the closest location at the time—to sample the offerings. The restaurant’s concept allows guests to select their greens and toppings, with pricing based on weight. In addition to salads, the menu features quinoa and rice bowls, along with a hot food station catering to those seeking alternatives. A potato bar is also available for those favoring loaded baked potatoes.
Impressed by the flexibility of choice and the streamlined staffing requirements, Woodard visited the corporate headquarters in Hammond. There, she met the founders, a mother-son duo who aimed to share their family’s farming heritage. Starting with a 20-acre farm in 1943, the family’s legacy has evolved into the largest strawberry farm in Louisiana. This rich farming tradition, coupled with a commitment to fast and casual service, culminated in the creation of Salad Station.
The upcoming Germantown location will occupy a 2,000-square-foot space previously held by Spartan Safe. This marks the second Salad Station in Tennessee, following the one in Clarksville. Other Salad Station locations are present in Flowood and Hattiesburg, Mississippi.