Pacific Business News:
By Katie Murar
Maui-based fast casual eatery Fork & Salad has promoted longtime employee Lauren Mann to director of operations and director of franchisee management.
Mann, who has spent the last four years working alongside Fork & Salad owners’ full-service restaurant concept, Three’s Bar and Grill, will oversee the company’s growth following its partnership with franchise development company Fransmart in the newly created position.
“I’ve spent the last few years learning and developing my management style from [the owners], and to now be working with them in a new capacity, and for such a fast-growing brand like Fork & Salad, is an exciting endeavor,” Mann said in a statement. “I’ve watched as they built Fork & Salad from the ground up, so I’m well-equipped to assist new franchisees through the same process and give them the resources they need to successfully run a Fork & Salad location in any market.”
Jaron Blosser, Travis Morrin, and Cody Christopher founded Fork & Salad in 2016 in Kihei, and recently opened its second location in the Puunene Shopping Center in Kahului.
The company is planning a Mainland expansion through Fransmart, which is responsible for expanding such brands as Five Guys Burgers & Fries and Qdoba Mexican Grill. It is currently considering real estate options in Orange County, California, for a corporate store, which will also serve as its Mainland headquarters and franchisee training facility.
The health-focused company, which specializes in salads and sandwiches, is currently recruiting for interested franchise operators.
“Our vision has always been to redefine the possibilities of farm-to-table cuisine,” Morrin previously said. “We want to bring healthy, convenient, affordable food to everyone, while introducing them to the unique flavors and lifestyle of the Hawaiian islands. With the strength of Fransmart behind us, we’re confident you’ll see Fork & Salad in airports, malls, and communities all over the globe.”
The company has 40 employees, and says it sources ingredients from more than 25 Maui-based farmers and suppliers.