Our Story

About Chopt Restaurant

Chopt is a fresh-forward chopt restaurant dedicated to crafting bold, nutritious salads, grain bowls and wraps with the finest ingredients sourced from local and sustainable farms across the United States.

Chopt restaurant interior with fresh ingredients displayed
15+
Years of Fresh
Our Story

Born from a Passion for Fresh, Real Food

Chopt began with a simple conviction: healthy food should never feel like a compromise. We set out to prove that a salad could be as satisfying, craveable and exciting as any meal — and we haven't stopped since.

Founded in the heart of Charlotte, NC, our chopt restaurant grew from a single kitchen counter and a relentless obsession with flavor. Our founders spent years perfecting knife techniques — the art of the chop — that transforms a bowl of greens into something extraordinary.

Today, Chopt stands as a beloved destination for food lovers across the United States who believe that eating well is a daily act of self-care. Every ingredient we source, every dressing we blend, every bowl we build reflects our founding promise: fresh, flavorful, and made for you.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Every decision we make — from farm to fork — is guided by the values that have defined Chopt since day one.

Freshness First

We source ingredients daily from local and sustainable farms. Nothing sits, nothing is frozen — every bowl starts fresh.

Community Roots

We are proud to be part of the Charlotte community and partner with neighborhood farms, schools and nonprofits.

Radical Transparency

We list every ingredient, calorie and allergen openly because we believe you deserve to know exactly what you're eating.

Sustainable Impact

From compostable packaging to zero-waste kitchens, we are committed to leaving the planet better than we found it.

Our Mission

At Chopt, our mission is to make bold, nourishing food accessible to everyone — without compromise on quality, flavor or sustainability. We believe a great meal has the power to energize your day, lift your mood, and connect you to a community that cares about what it puts into the world.

As a chopt restaurant rooted in United States values, we champion local farmers, celebrate culinary diversity, and relentlessly innovate so that eating fresh never gets boring. Whether you're grabbing lunch on the go or sharing a family-sized platter, our promise is always the same: real ingredients, real flavor, real love in every chop.

50K+
Happy Customers
120+
Menu Items
30+
Local Farm Partners
15
Years in Business
Our Journey

The Chopt Timeline

From a bold idea in Charlotte to a beloved chopt restaurant destination — here's how we got here.

2009

The First Chop

Our founders opened the very first Chopt location in Charlotte, NC — a tiny counter with a big idea: hand-chopped salads made to order with local ingredients.

2012

Grain Bowls Arrive

We expanded our menu with hearty grain bowls featuring quinoa, farro and wild rice — a move that brought a whole new audience to Chopt and earned us our first national press coverage.

2015

Farm Partnership Program

We launched our Farm Partnership Program, formalizing relationships with over 20 regional farms to ensure the freshest, most sustainable ingredients in every bowl.

2018

Digital Ordering Launch

Chopt went digital with online ordering and a loyalty rewards app, making it easier than ever for customers across the United States to enjoy their favorite meals.

2021

Zero-Waste Kitchens

We achieved our zero-waste kitchen certification, composting 95% of food scraps and switching to fully compostable packaging across all locations.

2024

Today & Beyond

With 50,000+ happy customers and growing, Chopt continues to innovate — launching seasonal menus, catering services, and community nutrition programs across the United States.

Meet the Team

The People Behind Every Bowl

Our passionate team of chefs, nutritionists and food lovers work every day to make your Chopt experience extraordinary.

Marcus Reid

Co-Founder & Executive Chef

A classically trained chef with 20 years of culinary experience, Marcus pioneered the chop technique that defines every bowl we serve.

Priya Nair

Head of Nutrition & Menu Development

Registered dietitian and culinary innovator, Priya ensures every menu item delivers maximum flavor alongside genuine nutritional benefit.

Jordan Hayes

Director of Sustainability

Jordan leads our zero-waste initiatives and farm partnership program, building supply chains that are good for people and the planet.

Sofia Ortega

Customer Experience Manager

Sofia is the heart of our guest relations, ensuring every visit to Chopt — in person or online — feels welcoming, seamless and memorable.

Want to join our passionate team?

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Ready to Taste the Difference?

Experience the Chopt Difference Today

Fresh, bold, hand-crafted — every bowl tells our story. Order now and taste what 15 years of passion delivers.