Brix Holdings LLC has acquired the Souper Salad and Greenz salad chains, the company said Thursday.
Brix announced the acquisition just months after the creation of the Dallas-based holding company, which is parent to the Red Mango frozen yogurt chain, Smoothie Factory and RedBrick Pizza.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Brix chief executive Joe Vitrano said the two brands will appeal to diners looking for more healthful options.
“These acquisitions are consistent with our focus on healthier menus driving a healthy business opportunity,” Vitrano said in a statement. “Both brands have the potential to expand in the fast-growing segment of the food industry focused on consumers’ healthier eating choices.”
As part of the deal, Dan Hernandez will remain president of Souper Salad, the company said.
Scott McIntosh, head of franchising and real estate for Souper Salad, will join the development team for all Brix brands.
Greenz founder Casie Caldwell will remain with BRIX in an advisory role, officials said.
Brix officials said it intends to enhance product offerings, upgrade branding, refresh existing locations and utilize the multiconcept company’s marketing, real estate and franchising infrastructure to expand.
Souper Salad is a 37-unit buffet concept founded in 1978 and based in Boerne, Texas, featuring scratch-made soups, salads and breads.
The salad-buffet chain has shrunk considerably since the end of 2010, when it had 80 locations, eight of which were franchised.
The chain went through Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization under previous owner SSI Holding Group Corp., which at the time also was parent to Grandy’s.
In 2012, Souper Salad was acquired by LNC Ventures LLC, led by Hernandez, a Souper Salad franchisee, who became chief executive. Hernandez was also a Subway franchise operator in Texas. He reportedly picked up the Souper Salad chain for about $4 million.
Over the next few years, Hernandez led a refranchising effort to breathe new life into the brand.
In July 2013, Souper Salad had 23 corporate and 22 franchised units. Currently, seven locations are company-owned and 30 units are franchise-operated.
The “small box” and fast-casual Greenz, also based in Dallas, has only two locations. It offers “artistically crafted” salads, soups and wraps made with all-natural ingredients.
“The essence of Souper Salad is on trend and is in a good position to prosper with the application of Brix resources and experience,” Vitrano said. “Greenz is in an early stage and its unique menu provides Brix with an excellent starting point for further concept development and eventual expansion.”
Former Taco Bell Corp. chairman and chief executive John Antioco, who acquired Red Mango in 2008 with private equity firm CIC Partners, is chairman and primary shareholder of Brix.
Last year, Antioco took majority ownership of Red Mango and acquired Smoothie Factory and RedBrick Pizza, with plans to expand all three brands.
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Correction: Sept. 8, 2014 An earlier version of this story misstated Souper Salad's 2010 unit count by including its sister brand Grandy’s. At the end of December 2010, Souper Salad alone had 80 locations, eight of which were franchised.
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