Salad, bowl restaurant franchises open first Sarasota-Bradenton location

Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Updated ·2 min read

The growing list of Sarasota-Manatee restaurant openings so far this year now includes two national fast-casual concepts coming to the area in a co-branded location.

Saladworks and Frutta Bowls are now open in Lakewood Ranch at 14555 State Road 70 E. It is the only current Sarasota-Manatee location for both brands, which each have establishments across several states and are part of WOWorks, a parent company family of restaurant brands that also includes Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos Southwestern Grille & Cantina and Zoup! Eatery.

The Lakewood Ranch location is owned and operated by Brian and Diana Gourley, who previously lived in Florida and decided to move back to the state while looking at colleges with their children in 2019, according to a press release.

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“When we first moved back to Florida, we knew we wanted to open a business that would create a positive impact in our community,” Brian Gourley said in a statement. "Saladworks and Frutta Bowls allow us the opportunity to provide healthy and accessible meals and a wide variety of options to our guests, which is important to us."

Saladworks, which serves salads and warm grain bowls such as the ones pictured here, has opened a Lakewood Ranch location.
Saladworks, which serves salads and warm grain bowls such as the ones pictured here, has opened a Lakewood Ranch location.

Saladworks offers a variety of signature salads, warm grain bowls including rice and quinoa, whole wheat or white tortilla wraps, and sandwiches and paninis. It also allows customers to create their own salads, warm grain bowls or wraps with choice of base, ingredients and dressing.

Meanwhile, Frutta Bowls serves bowls with bases of açaí, pitaya, greens, warm oatmeal or Greek yogurt and toppings including other fruit, granola, peanut butter and honey, along with smoothies and toasts. It offers a build-your-own bowl option as well, with choice of base, granola, three fruits and two toppings.

Saladworks' Lakewood Ranch location is co-branded with Frutta Bowls, which serves signature or build-your-own bowls, smoothies and toasts.
Saladworks' Lakewood Ranch location is co-branded with Frutta Bowls, which serves signature or build-your-own bowls, smoothies and toasts.

Saladworks and Frutta Bowls' Lakewood Ranch location is open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 941-201-4343 or visit saladworks.com or fruttabowls.com.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by  subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Saladworks, Frutta Bowls franchises open Lakewood Ranch restaurant