Dive Brief:
- Woworks has hired James Walker, former CEO of Lunchbox, as chief growth officer, the company said in a Thursday press release.
- The holding company, which owns Saladworks, also promoted Nolan Woods to chief operations officer from senior vice president of operations.
- The executives will be key to Woworks’ ongoing franchising growth and expansion of its portfolio of health-focused brands, which includes Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup Eatery.
Dive Insight:
Woworks is well positioned for growth this year after opening 24 restaurants across its portfolio in 2025, including its first Frutta Bowls in Canada, according to a separate press release. Woworks is also expanding through co-branding, bringing Frutta Bowls into select Saladworks and Barberitos locations. Last year, it opened 10 such restaurants.
The company also signed 40 new franchise agreements, including multi-unit deals in growth markets including Memphis, Tennessee; Tampa, Florida; Savannah and Athens, Georgia; and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. It currently has about 240 units open nationwide.
Both Walker and Woods have decades of franchise experience. Walker has 30 years of experience in hospitality and retail leadership, and will focus on strategic market expansion, as well as recruiting new franchisees. Most recently, he spent nearly two years at Lunchbox serving as a board member and later CEO, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also held senior leadership positions at Nathan’s Famous, Baja Fresh, Cinnabon and Subway, the press release said.
Woods has worked at Woworks for three years, joining the chain in April 2023, and he held the role of vice president, brand leader for Saladworks, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has about three decades of operational experience and also is an existing franchisee. His career has included leading large-scale franchise growth, as well as executing acquisitions. In his new role, he will focus on franchise operations, company operations, training and development and guest service, per the press release.
“Franchise development and franchisee success remain central to our growth strategy,” Woworks CEO Kelly Roddy said in a statement. “James brings unmatched experience in franchise sales and market expansion, while Nolan's dual perspective as both an operator and a franchisee will enhance restaurant performance and franchise support across all six WOWorks brands.”
