May 20, 2009 // Franchising.com // Davie, Florida – For too long mall employees have been a captive audience for high-fat quick service foods, such as provided in mall food courts around the country. It's just easier to grab a quick snack than it is to drive somewhere to find a healthier alternative during a short meal break. But there's one mall where employees – and shoppers – can get delicious and healthy food thanks to entrepreneur Sandy Oroski.
Sandy, a 24-year resident of Ocala, Florida, recently opened a FROOTS restaurant in the Paddock Mall Food Court. "I saw a need for a 'healthy food' concept for our area in general and particularly for the employees in the mall," said Sandy. "I did some research on food franchises and the FROOTS concept was appealing to me. After visiting a store and trying the food and doing some comparison shopping, I felt they had a great product and a great look that would do well in the food court location."
FROOTS offers diners a real change from typical quick service menus. Their tag line is, "Eat. Drink. Be healthy." Offerings include everything from gourmet soups to wraps, to Greek salad with hummus. Specialty beverage choices include fresh squeezed juices and 100% natural mixed fruit smoothies. For the body conscious, performance smoothies, combining protein, fat burner or energy enhancing powders, are available. Green tea and wheatgrass shots are also served. Sandy was also impressed with FROOTS because, "new menu items are rolled out quarterly to give the customer new choices."
The Paddock Mall FROOTS opened in January and Sandy is busy carving a niche in the food court offerings. "Customers can usually expect to see me at the register, giving personalized customer service. Many of our customers are regulars and I try to learn each one by name and they love that! I take special requests for soup or a particular flavored coffee," she added. "I believe we are the only place in the food court that offers personalized service -- right down to showing them nutritional information."
Ms. Oroski is a graduate of Findlay University, Findlay, Ohio, and has a degree in equestrian science with a minor in business. She has owned a store and worked as an employee of a store at the Paddock Mall, which made her realize their need for a healthy-food restaurant. Sandy also works with Thoroughbred horses at sales in Kentucky and Ocala.
About FROOTS
FROOTS is a quick service restaurant offering a variety of fruit smoothies, healthy gourmet wraps, salads and paninis. Using only fresh ingredients, FROOTS creates unique flavor profiles to satisfy a culturally diverse clientele. FROOTS Franchising, Inc., is headquartered in Davie, FL and is a privately owned company. The concept was created in 2001 by its founder and CEO, David Lopez and has been franchising since 2004. Currently there are over 37 locations in the US and international locations in Honduras, Panama, Guam, Turks & Caicos and Ireland. Puerto Rico will be opening soon. Expansion plans include opening an additional 500 locations in the next five years.
FROOTS was named one of the FAST 55 by the Franchise Times and made the Top 500 list in Entrepreneur Magazine.
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