Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Sawyer.
Hi Stephanie , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Stephanie Sawyer, and I opened Saladworks in December 2019. My career began as a dental assistant in 1991, and I’ve always been interested in business, with a desire to open a franchise. In 2007, my husband and I built Circle Drive Dental in Northwest Rochester, and in 2010, I assisted my dad in opening Chocolaterie Stam in the Galleria, so I had some experience in this field.
After researching various franchise options, I found Saladworks to be a great fit. We opened in December, but as we all know, our world changed dramatically in March due to the pandemic. This presented significant challenges, especially so soon after our opening, and we faced uncertainty about our future.
Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to say that we are still here!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest struggle is my rent. My location is connected to the Mayo subway system, which used to have tremendous foot traffic before the pandemic. However, that foot traffic has significantly decreased, as most of Mayo’s support staff now work from home. Despite this decline, my rent has remained the same and has even increased over the past five years. Additionally, food costs have been a significant challenge. The prices of produce depend on the weather and the situation in the growing regions. Parking in downtown Rochester remains a barrier for customers.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Saladworks?
Saladworks is a fast-casual restaurant franchise that specializes in made-to-order entrée salads, wraps, soups, and sandwiches. Founded in 1986 in Philadelphia PA, we have grown to operate over 150 locations across 22 states. We are best known for our fresh, healthy options, offering more than 60 ingredients for customizing salads, making us a popular choice for those seeking nutritious meals. Our goal is to provide a healthy alternative to fast food for staff at the Mayo campus, as well as for patients visiting from all over the world, catering to a variety of dietary needs and preferences.
We are excited to offer healthy options to people looking to fuel their bodies for the day. Everything on our line is fresh, and we prepare all our veggies daily. We have many regulars who visit us frequently, and it brings us joy when customers express their appreciation by saying, “Thanks for being here and giving us a healthy choice.”
I take great pride in my staff. Since 2018, I have volunteered at MN Adult and Teen Challenge. In 2019, when I was looking to build my team, I invited several of the graduating women to work at Saladworks. This initiative has turned into my mission and ministry, and I have hired many individuals in long-term recovery. I firmly believe that everyone deserves a second chance, and I understand that it can be challenging for people to find jobs due to their past choices. Witnessing my team members grow and move on to successful careers has been the most rewarding aspect of opening my business, and it fills me with pride!
Additionally, I support many community nonprofits and am committed to bettering my community in any way I can.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Unfortunately, I anticipate that prices will rise, and this increase will ultimately be passed on to the customer. I think our concept will thrive because of health concious people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.saladworks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saladworksrochester
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaladworksRochester/#
