Harper Woods, MI ( ) One of MichiganвЂ™s most unique restaurant groups has not only survived the COVID pandemic, but is thriving and developing big plans to expand this year. The current location of The Big Salad closest to Traverse City is in Charlotte.Unique Michigan-based chain will open eateries in Detroit, Traverse City and Novi/Farmington during 2021 Most of the current locations are in the Detroit area. Bornoty said two more locations soon will open, in downtown Detroit and Novi. There are nine The Big Salads in Michigan and one in Spring, Texas, a suburb of Houston. The first restaurant opened in Grosse Pointe in September 2008. 'She's done the math on this one.'Д«ornoty formed Bornoty Holdings in January 2005 and launched The Big Salad, LLC in 2007. 'My wife is a high school math teacher,' Bornoty said with a laugh. There also will be a build-your-own salad option that claims to offer '17 million ways to customize your salad or wrap,' thanks to the different toppings available. 'Even the dressings are made fresh each day in the store.' 'Everything is made fresh in the store daily,' he said. Bornoty said the focus is on 'high-quality food with no preservatives.' I also includes six signature smoothies, and chocolate chip cookies baked each day with Hershey's Kisses. The menu at The Big Salad features 12 salads, six sandwiches and wraps, and five soups. 'We have lots of things we're working on just to cater to pedestrian traffic in downtown Traverse City,' he said. Bornoty.'Д«lessing said the business partners are excited to open the Traverse City restaurant and 'be part of the community.' Blessing expects to employ 12 to 15 full- and part-time employees.Д«ornoty said the Traverse City location will feature outdoor seating as well as walk-in and pick-up options. 'We met, we thought it would be a good partnership and we were very fortunate to be awarded a franchise by Mr. 'It's been a life-long dream for both of us,' Blessing said.

'I said, 'This place would be fantastic in Traverse City if I ever had the opportunity to get back up there.''Д«lessing said he and Jackson both have backgrounds in business: Blessing in auditing, Jackson with parts and service departments at auto dealerships. 'I'd go there, read the paper and get a salad,' Blessing recalled.

'We're looking at this store to see where we should be going up there,' Bornoty said.Д«lessing said he got a taste of The Big Salad while working as an auditor with the U.S. Blessing said the franchisees want to open two other locations in northern Michigan over the next three years, one of which may be in Big Rapids. 'We were not going to waver from that.'ДЇranchisees Nathan Blessing and Ben Jackson are committed to opening two more stores in northern Michigan. 'We knew our first location Up North and our first location in Traverse City was going to be on Front Street,' Bornoty said. Stiebel is the manager of Sunny Oak Holdings, LLC, which owns the building.ДЄ spot on Front Street was non-negotiable for Bornoty. Great real estate on Front Street is hard to find.'Д«ornoty credited Realtor Dan Stiebel, associate broker at Coldwell Banker Commercial, with getting the lease deal in place. 'We've been eyeing Traverse City for a long time. 'We're very excited to be coming to Traverse City,' Bornoty said.

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