Salad chain founded in Columbus plans expansion

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A fast-casual salad restaurant founded in central Ohio is expanding with new locations in neighboring states.

Chop5 Salad Kitchen is planning to launch as many as 10 locations in and around Indianapolis beginning in the fall of next year, co-founder Brian Mills announced earlier this month. Mills opened the first Chop5 at 2044 Polaris Parkway in 2016 and has since grown the brand to another local spot at 1305 W. Lane Ave. and a third in Orlando, Florida.

While the three existing salad kitchens are owned and operated by the company, Chop5's expansion will use a franchise model. Mills said in the announcement that Chop5 is searching for franchisees who could oversee the Indiana stores, and is also recruiting for possible locations in Louisville, Kentucky.

Chop5 is known around central Ohio for its Chipotle-style build-your-own menu options, as well as a series of preset salads. The restaurant's signature salad's include the Harvest Chop with roasted chicken, bacon, apples, red onions, blue cheese and sunflower seeds, and the Southwest Chipotle Chop with honey chipotle chicken, black beans, corn tomatoes and tortilla strips.

The salad joint is expanding as another fast-casual salad chain is launching their first Ohio location in Columbus. Sweetgreen announced earlier this month its new Short North store at 700 N. High St. is opening in September.

Specializing in salads and grain bowls with regionally sourced ingredients like apples, kale, sweet potatoes and goat cheese, Sweetgreen said it will bring a "fresh and crave-able" dining option to Columbus. Since it was founded in 2007, Sweetgreen has expanded to more than 230 locations across the country.