CRISP & GREEN to buy 33 Salad Collective restaurants

CRISP & GREEN said Tuesday it agreed to acquire 33 MAD Greens and Snappy Salads locations from Salad Collective, a move that could push the wellness-focused chain to 100 restaurants by the end of 2026. The deal also makes the Coors family a strategic minority partner as CRISP & GREEN expands beyond the Midwest into markets including Phoenix, Austin, Denver and Dallas.

Why it matters: - The acquisition gives CRISP & GREEN a faster path to 100 restaurants without institutional capital. - The deal expands the brand's footprint into new and existing markets in the Southwest and Texas. - The Coors family becomes a strategic minority partner, linking two restaurant groups focused on health-conscious dining.

What happened: - CRISP & GREEN announced an agreement to acquire 33 MAD Greens and Snappy Salads locations from Salad Collective. - The company plans to transition the acquired restaurants to the CRISP & GREEN brand over time. - The transaction was announced on Oct. 13, 2026, from Minneapolis. - CRISP & GREEN said the acquisition, combined with planned openings, positions the chain to reach 100 locations by the end of 2026.

The details: - CRISP & GREEN opened its first restaurant in Minnesota in 2016. - The company said it has grown through corporate development, franchising and investment from friends and family, without institutional capital. - CRISP & GREEN has prioritized Midwest and central U.S. communities instead of focusing only on coastal markets. - The brand serves wraps, sandwiches, salads, grain bowls, smoothies and other made-from-scratch menu items. - The company said the deal should help accelerate growth in Phoenix and Austin and expand its presence in Denver and Dallas. - CRISP & GREEN plans to continue growing through new restaurant development, strategic franchise partnerships and integration of the acquired locations. - Salad Collective Chairman Darden Coors said the combination with CRISP & GREEN is a natural continuation of Salad Collective's strategy.

Between the lines: - The deal signals that CRISP & GREEN is leaning into consolidation to scale faster than a build-only strategy would allow. - The move also suggests the chain sees demand for health-focused fast casual dining well beyond traditional coastal strongholds. - Bringing the Coors family in as a minority partner may add credibility and flexibility as the brand enters its next phase. - Founder and Executive Chairman Steele Smiley said the company has proved a disciplined growth model can work without institutional capital.

What's next: - CRISP & GREEN intends to rebrand the acquired restaurants under its banner over time. - The company will keep expanding through new openings and franchise deals. - The chain enters its next decade with a broader national footprint and a target of making health-conscious dining more accessible. - More information is available in the company's announcement.