Carbs be damned, Crisp & Green is adding sandwiches

Crisp & Green is adding sandwiches.

The 52-unit fast-casual brand known for healthful salads, bowls and smoothies, this week announced the addition of sandwiches for the first time.

Crisp & Green has long offered wraps. But this new lineup includes traditional sub-like sandwiches on house-baked bread. The chain is also promoting them as a protein-packed option, saying they pack up to 39 grams of protein. And, though prices vary by location, they are about $10.95.

The new line includes:

• Cali Club, layered with chicken, bacon, tomato slices, oil and vinegar and a creamy jalapeno green goddess dressing.

• Classic Honey Mustard, with roasted turkey, provolone, tomato slices, oil and vinegar and a honey mustard finish.

• Pesto Primo, with roasted chicken, basil pesto, provolone, tomatoes and oil and vinegar.

• The Rancher features roasted chicken, avocado, provolone, cucumber, oil and vinegar, with ranch dressing.

• Turkey BLT is based on roasted turkey, bacon, provolone, tomatoes, oil and vinegar and mayo.

• Turkey Provo is a simpler variation on the BLT, but without bacon.

“As we’ve continued to innovate and evolve our menu, we’ve seen incredible enthusiasm for our handheld offerings, and sandwiches felt like the perfect next chapter for the brand,” said Steele Smiley, founder and executive chair of Crisp & Green, in a statement. “We took some of the most beloved sandwich classics and reimagined them in the Crisp & Green way, with premium ingredients, bold flavors and the same thoughtful craftsmanship our guests have come to expect.”

It is yet another example of a salad chain moving beyond salads.

Sweetgreen, for example, this year has added a line of wrap sandwiches in an attempt to win back bowl-weary guests. It’s a value move, with the sandwiches starting at about $10.95.

But Zipporah Allen, Sweetgreen’s chief commercial officer, recently said the fast-casual brand needs to “get beyond the bowl,” saying that younger consumers looking for healthful ingredients seem to prefer a format that doesn’t require a fork.

Meanwhile, some concepts known for hand-held options (like burgers) are trying their hand at bowls.

Freddy’s this week launched a line of bowls with various proteins, including a Steakburger Bowl, a Chicken Bowl and a Veggie Burger Bowl.