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Salad Collective acquires Tokyo Joe’s fast-casual restaurant chainSalad Collective acquires Tokyo Joe’s fast-casual restaurant chain

Owner of MAD Greens and Snappy Salads expands portfolio

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 20, 2022

2 Min Read
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Salad Collective, owner MAD Greens and Snappy Salads has acquired the 27-unit Japanese-Asian Tokyo Joe’s, the company announced Monday.

The Golden, Colo.-based company said Englewood, Colo.-based Tokyo Joe’s was a fast-casual concept that fit well into its portfolio. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Darden-Coors-tokyo-joes.jpg“We’ve found a natural connection in terms of brand values, vibrant cultures, customer engagement and commitment to delicious, approachable, better-for-you foods,” said Darden Coors, left, CEO of Salad Collective and architect of the MAD Greens acquisition of Snappy Salads in 2019, in a statement. 

As part of the acquisition, Coors will become CEO of Tokyo Joe’s, a role previously held by founder Larry Leith. Leith and Coors worked throughout the acquisition process to ensure a smooth transition, they said.

Leith said: “Aligning with Salad Collective puts our brand in a strong place for our future. Tokyo Joe’s locations are incredible community gathering spots where we’ve created amazing relationships with our guests and employees. I’m 100% behind Salad Collective, the synergies between our teams, the values we share and the commitment to our people and our guests all run parallel.” 

Larry-Leith-Tokyo-Joes.jpgLeith, left, opened the first Tokyo Joe’s in suburban Denver’s Centennial neighborhood in 1996.

The company said Tokyo Joe’s will eventually relocate its headquarters from Denver Tech Center to the Golden area.

Tokyo Joe’s recently adding poke bowls to its menu while staying true to its roots with build-your-own rice and noodle bowls, made-to-order sushi and fresh salads.

Tokyo Joe’s has 24 locations in Colorado and three in the Phoenix, Ariz., area.

MAD Greens has 25 locations in Colorado, Arizona and Texas, in addition to one licensed location in the Austin airport, and Snappy Salads has 13 in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The Tokyo Joe’s acquisition brings Salad Collective’s holdings to 65 company-owned restaurants in Arizona, Colorado and Texas.

Darden Coors became CEO of Salad Collective after AC Restaurant Group, a Coors family company, acquired MAD Greens in 2013. 

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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