Our Story Since 2001

About Chopt — Fresh Food, Bold Vision

Chopt is a New York City born chopt restaurant concept rooted in the belief that eating well should never mean eating boring. We craft bold, chef-inspired salads with the freshest ingredients — chopped to order, every single time.

Chopt restaurant kitchen with fresh ingredients

20+ Years of Fresh Innovation

60+

Locations

5M+

Salads Served

200+

Menu Items

Our Story

Born in New York City, Built on Freshness

Chopt Creative Salad Co. was founded in 2001 by two friends, Colin McCabe and Tony Shure, with a shared obsession: real food made fast, without compromise. They opened their first chopt restaurant location on the corner of Broadway and 55th Street in Manhattan with a simple but radical idea — every salad hand-chopped to order, every day.

What started as a single counter quickly grew into a movement. New Yorkers craved the freshness, the customization, and the bold, global flavors that Chopt brought to the lunch rush. Word spread block by block, borough by borough, city by city.

Today, Chopt operates across the East Coast and beyond, staying true to its roots: sourcing quality produce, innovating seasonally, and treating every bowl as a canvas for creativity. We are proud to be your go-to chopt restaurant for meals that fuel the best version of you.

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Our Purpose

Mission, Vision & Promise

Everything we do at Chopt flows from three core commitments that guide our kitchen, our team, and our community.

Our Mission

To make real, nourishing food accessible to everyone — by crafting chef-inspired salads that are as delicious as they are good for you. We believe fast food can be fresh food.

Our Vision

To become America's most beloved fresh food destination — where creativity meets quality and every guest leaves feeling energized, satisfied, and excited to come back.

Our Promise

Every ingredient is sourced with intention. Every bowl is chopped to order. Every visit is an experience crafted with care. That's the Chopt promise, every single day.

Chopt team preparing fresh salads with quality ingredients

"The chop is not just a technique — it's a philosophy. Fresh, intentional, never rushed." — Colin McCabe, Co-Founder

What We Stand For

The Values Behind Every Bowl

Freshness First

We source local, seasonal produce whenever possible. No pre-made dressings sitting for days — everything is crafted in-house, made to order.

Global Inspiration

From Thai peanut to Mexican street corn to classic Caesar — our menu draws from the world's best culinary traditions, reimagined for the modern chopt restaurant.

Community Rooted

We give back to the neighborhoods we serve through local partnerships, food donation programs, and supporting farmers who share our values.

Sustainability Minded

From compostable packaging to waste-reduction programs in our kitchens, we're committed to leaving the planet better than we found it.

Relentless Quality

We never cut corners. Our chefs test every new recipe dozens of times before it earns a spot on the menu. Good enough is never good enough at Chopt.

Our History

Two Decades of Bold Flavor

From a single New York counter to a nationwide movement — here's how Chopt grew one chop at a time.

2001

The First Chop

Colin McCabe and Tony Shure open the very first Chopt location on Broadway & 55th in Manhattan. The concept: salads chopped to order, with globally inspired flavors. Lines form on day one.

2006

Expanding the Footprint

Chopt opens its 5th location and begins expanding beyond Manhattan into Brooklyn and Midtown. The chopt restaurant brand earns its first major press coverage in the New York Times.

2012

Going Regional

Chopt crosses state lines, opening locations in Washington D.C. and New Jersey. The seasonal menu program launches, rotating in chef-crafted specials quarterly to keep regulars excited.

2017

Digital Innovation

The Chopt mobile app launches with online ordering and rewards. Over 500,000 downloads in the first year. Digital-forward kitchens introduced to speed up order accuracy without sacrificing freshness.

2024

Next Chapter

Chopt surpasses 60 locations across the East Coast. New sustainability packaging rollout completes system-wide. The next generation of menu innovation is underway — bolder, fresher, and more exciting than ever.

Chopt restaurant interior through the years

2001–2024 23 Years & Growing

The People

Meet the Team Behind Chopt

Our passionate team of chefs, creatives, and operators bring the Chopt experience to life — every day, every bowl.

Colin McCabe

Co-Founder & CEO

Colin's obsession with real food and bold flavor sparked the entire Chopt movement. A New York native with a passion for sustainable sourcing and culinary creativity.

Founder

Tony Shure

Co-Founder & President

Tony drives the operational and growth strategy at Chopt. His vision for community-driven dining has shaped the brand from a single counter into a nationwide force.

Founder

Maria Santos

Executive Chef

Trained in São Paulo and New York, Maria leads our culinary innovation team. She is the architect of Chopt's seasonal menus and global flavor explorations.

Culinary

Priya Nair

Head of Sustainability

Priya leads Chopt's environmental initiatives — from compostable packaging to farm partnerships. Her work ensures that every meal we serve is better for the planet.

Impact

Ready to Taste the Difference?

Experience the Chopt Difference Today

Every bowl is a story — fresh ingredients, bold global flavors, chopped to order just for you. Come find out why New York fell in love with Chopt.

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