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.
“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.”
Leith, 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.
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