Salad and Go Is Coming Back to Arizona
Just two months after Salad and Go filed for bankruptcy and closed every store overnight, the brand is making a comeback. The chef who helped build it is bringing it back, and the first locations already have a home.
What’s Happening
In October 2026, Chef Daniel Patiño announced on social media and a podcast that he and his partners now hold the rights to operate and expand Salad and Go across North America. Patiño was the chain’s co-founding chef. His partners are Mike Myers and Tom Misitano, and the three run a company called Hospitality First Concepts.
The comeback starts in the East Valley. Patiño says the first two restaurants will open in Gilbert and Mesa, and more locations are planned after that. The Gilbert store will sit at the corner of Williams Field Road and Higley Road. The goal is to have it open by the end of 2026.
The new owners say they want to bring back the fresh food, good value and friendly service that made Salad and Go a favorite in so many Arizona neighborhoods.
A Quick Look Back
Salad and Go started in Gilbert and grew into a drive-thru favorite, known for low-priced salads, wraps and breakfast. The closures in August were sudden. Long lines formed at Valley stores as customers stopped by one last time.
Since then, many of the old buildings have found new owners. Several dozen former locations are set to become 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shops after the Arkansas-based chain outbid Tempe’s Dutch Bros at auction. That’s part of why the returning Salad and Go is starting with a fresh set of locations.
What This Means for Your Neighborhood
The comeback could:
Bring back local jobs that disappeared when the stores closed
Fill empty storefronts and drive-thru pads around the Valley
Restore a quick, affordable food option many families relied on
It also shows how much demand there is for drive-thru space in the Valley. When good locations open up, they don’t stay empty for long.
What to Watch
The exact address of the Mesa store
Which cities get the next round of locations, including the West Valley
Whether the menu and prices match what customers remember
Hiring announcements as opening day gets closer
Takeaway
Salad and Go is coming home to where it started, and it’s moving fast. With a Gilbert site already picked and an end-of-year target, a homegrown Arizona favorite could be back in business within weeks.
Will you be first in line when Salad and Go reopens? Let me know in the comments!
Juan Grimaldo | The Grimaldo Group at eXp Realty
📍 Goodyear, AZ | 📞 (480) 365-8346 | ✉️ juang@teamgrimaldo.com
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