Saladworks Heats Up Menu with Steak and a $9.99 Value Play

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – April 28, 2026 – Saladworks, the long-standing create-your-own salad chain, is making a significant strategic pivot, introducing warm roasted chicken and all-natural fire-grilled steak to its core menu. The move, which includes a new lineup of signature dishes and an aggressive $9.99 starting price for custom creations, signals a direct challenge to competitors in the crowded fast-casual marketplace and a redefinition of the brand's value proposition.

For more than three decades, Saladworks has built its reputation on fresh, customizable salads. This latest evolution, however, aims to broaden its appeal beyond the traditional lunch crowd, targeting consumers who crave heartier, protein-forward meals without sacrificing freshness or breaking the bank. The new proteins are available across the brand’s entire platform of salads, wraps, sandwiches, and bowls.

“Warm, freshly prepared proteins are a meaningful shift for us,” said Chef Cole Thompson, Vice President of Culinary at Saladworks, in a company announcement. “They give guests more ways to customize their meal, adding variety and heartier options while still delivering the freshness Saladworks is known for.”

A Strategic Play for Value and Variety

The introduction of these warm proteins is coupled with a powerful pricing strategy. The “Create Your Own” salads and wraps, which allow guests to choose a base, up to five toppings, and a dressing, now start at just $9.99 with the option to add the new chicken or steak. This price point is a calculated move in a market where consumers are increasingly value-conscious but unwilling to compromise on quality or portion size.

This strategy directly addresses a growing consumer trend: the demand for protein-rich meals that are both healthy and satisfying. By offering premium, warm proteins at a price competitive with or even below many rivals' basic offerings, Saladworks is positioning itself as an accessible option for a wider audience.

“We’re raising the bar on both quality and value,” stated Alisa Kahn, Vice President of Marketing at Saladworks. “By introducing premium warm proteins alongside a new $9.99 entry point, we’re making it easier than ever for guests to enjoy a more elevated, customizable experience, without compromising on price.”

Heating Up the Fast-Casual Competition

Saladworks' menu expansion doesn't exist in a vacuum. It is a direct competitive maneuver in the fierce fast-casual arena, where brands like Sweetgreen, Cava, and Panera Bread have set a high bar for protein-based bowls and salads. However, Saladworks appears to be leveraging price as a key differentiator.

At Sweetgreen, for example, a plate featuring caramelized garlic steak can cost upwards of $18, with popular chicken bowls often landing in the $14 to $17 range. Similarly, Cava's customizable bowls with steak can approach $20, with protein add-ons significantly increasing the base price. While Panera Bread offers a variety of bowls and sandwiches with chicken and steak, many of its signature items are priced several dollars higher than Saladworks' new entry point.

By launching at $9.99, Saladworks is not just adding new ingredients; it's throwing down a gauntlet on value. The brand is betting that the combination of premium, warm proteins and an affordable price will capture market share from diners who may feel priced out of other “healthy” fast-casual establishments. This move targets the sweet spot between health, heartiness, and affordability that many modern consumers are seeking.

Beyond the Salad Bowl: A Culinary Expansion

This initiative is more than just a protein upgrade; it represents a significant culinary expansion for the brand. To showcase the new offerings, Saladworks has launched a slate of curated menu items that move the brand firmly into the territory of hearty, all-day meal options.

New signature items featuring the fire-grilled steak include:
* Steakhouse Salad: A blend of greens with fire-grilled steak, carrots, roasted red peppers, blue cheese crumbles, and crispy onions, all tossed in a creamy garlic herb dressing.
* Steak & Cheddar Melt: A warm sandwich featuring fire-grilled steak with shredded cheddar, roasted red peppers, and crispy onions on rustic white bread.
* Black & Blue Grilled Wrap: Fire-grilled steak paired with blue cheese crumbles, roasted red peppers, crispy onions, and spinach in a wrap.

Perhaps most indicative of the brand's new direction is the launch of Double Protein Bowls. These thoughtfully crafted grain bowls are designed to be substantial, flavor-packed meals. The new lineup includes:
* Fire-Grilled Steak Bowl: Wild rice topped with fire-grilled steak, roasted butternut squash, crispy Brussels sprouts, and goat cheese with a creamy garlic herb dressing.
* Hot Honey Chicken Bowl: Roasted chicken tossed in a trendy hot honey sauce, served over wild rice with smoky bacon, cheddar cheese, pickled red onions, and roasted broccoli.
* Sweet Chili Shrimp Bowl: A non-steak option that highlights the brand's continued focus on variety, featuring shrimp with cucumbers, carrots, edamame, and wonton strips over wild rice.

These items demonstrate a clear intent to transform Saladworks from a salad-centric spot into a versatile eatery capable of satisfying a broader range of cravings and dining occasions, from a quick lunch to a substantial dinner.

Fueling Growth for the WOWorks Engine

This strategic menu enhancement is also a key component of the growth plan for Saladworks' parent company, WOWorks. Formed in 2020, WOWorks oversees a portfolio of “better-for-you” brands, including Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, and Zoup! Eatery, with a stated mission of aggressive expansion.

WOWorks has pursued growth through franchising, co-branding locations to increase sales volume, and strategic menu innovations that strengthen the appeal of its individual brands. The company reported significant growth in 2025, opening dozens of new and co-branded restaurants. By making one of its flagship brands, Saladworks, more competitive and appealing, WOWorks is strengthening a core asset in its portfolio.

This menu evolution provides a more compelling offering for potential franchisees and a richer experience for customers, aligning perfectly with the parent company's focus on driving sales and unit growth. As Saladworks rolls out its warm proteins and value-focused pricing across its more than 160 locations, the move will serve as a crucial test of its ability to evolve and capture a larger share of the modern diner's wallet.