--- title: "New development deal makes operator the largest Salata Salad Kitchen franchisee" url: https://burnaze.com/article/767fad5e-3dee-4cf6-8a2e-929ea30508b1 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/articles/new_development_deal_makes_operator_the_largest_salata_salad_kitchen_franch.html author: "M. Scott Morris" category: "Fast casual" industry: "Restaurants" segment: "Fast casual" topics: ["Development & multi-unit"] published: 2023-09-19T09:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T17:38:40.428Z image: https://imgs.franchising.com/art/articles/7941_plate.jpg --- # New development deal makes operator the largest Salata Salad Kitchen franchisee **TL;DR:** Joe Piro, a Salata Salad Kitchen multi-unit franchisee, has signed a deal to develop 6 new locations in the Houston area, making him the largest franchisee for the brand. He will have a total of 21 restaurants. *By M. Scott Morris, originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-09-19. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/articles/new_development_deal_makes_operator_the_largest_salata_salad_kitchen_franch.html).* ## Story Salata Salad Kitchen multi-unit franchisee Joe Piro has signed an agreement to develop 6 new restaurants throughout the Houston area. Piro, who has a 35-year history as a Burger King franchisee, opened his first Salata’s in 2012. The new development agreement will make him the largest franchisee for the built-to-order salad kitchen concept. He’ll have a total of 21 restaurants. “Salata was a natural fit for me—the business model just makes sense and the message behind the brand resonates with so many people,” Piro says. “The response from the community is always overwhelmingly positive upon opening a restaurant.” Piro’s first new location is set to begin construction this month at Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney, Texas. Additional locations are planned throughout Houston and its surrounding areas. “We are thrilled to see Joe continue to bolster his ownership portfolio with our brand,” said Michele Maerz, president of Salata. “His commitment to Salata’s mission and values, along with his extensive experience in the restaurant industry, has made him an invaluable asset to our brand.” - Get Started in Franchising - Franchise Rankings & Awards - Franchise Sales & Development - Featured Franchise Stories Franchising.com is produced by Franchise Update Media. Franchise Update Media has its finger on the pulse of franchising with unrivalled audience intelligence and market driven data. No media company understands the franchise landscape deeper than Franchise Update Media. 1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 300A Washington, DC 20005 PH. (408) 402-5681 - Franchisee Financing & Lending - Site Selection & Real Estate - Supply Chain & Procurement - Annual Franchise Development Report - Multi-Unit Franchising Conference - Franchise Growth & Marketing Conference - Franchise Leadership & Development Conference - Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine - Franchise Update Magazine - Franchise Update Franchisor Report - Franchising Express Report - International Franchise Report - Multi-Unit Franchisee Report The multi-unit franchise opportunities listed above are not related to or endorsed by Multi-Unit Franchisee or Franchise Update Media Group. We are not engaged in, supporting, or endorsing any specific franchise, business opportunity, company or individual. No statement in this site is to be construed as a recommendation. We encourage prospective franchise buyers to perform extensive due diligence when considering a franchise opportunity. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - QSR (sector) - franchise expansion (topic) - Burger King (company) - multi-unit development (topic) - houston (location) - M. Scott Morris (person) - Salata Salad Kitchen (company) - qsr franchise (topic) - Michele Maerz (person) - Valley Ranch Town Center (location) - Joe Piro (person) --- Originally reported by M. Scott Morris, Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/articles/new_development_deal_makes_operator_the_largest_salata_salad_kitchen_franch.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/767fad5e-3dee-4cf6-8a2e-929ea30508b1).