Fast-Casual Salad Restaurant Sets Opening Date

Vernon Hills, IL — A fast-casual restaurant that serves up healthy salads and grain bowls will open its first Illinois location in Vernon Hills next month.

Crisp & Green has set its Vernon Hills opening date for Aug. 5. The Vernon Hills fast-casual restaurant will be located in the Mellody Farm shopping center at 899 N. Milwaukee Ave. #300, and the restaurant chain, which currently has 36 restaurants open across the U.S., has plans to open seven more locations in the Chicago area.

Over the grand opening weekend, Crisp and Green will have various events planned, including:

• Aug. 5, 9:30 a.m.: Free fitness class with a local trainer
• Aug. 5 from 10:30 a.m. t0 1:30 p.m.: Free food for the community
• Aug. 5 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m: 50 percent off smoothies
• Aug. 6, 9:30 a.m.: Free fitness class, with BOGO salads or grain bowls for class attendees

The Vernon Hills location will be owned and operated by Barrington-based franchisees, Clark and Gina Koertner of CGIA Operations LLC.

• Crisp & Green Brings First IL Restaurant To Vernon Hills

“As we barrel toward our 50-unit milestone and the doubling of our location count in a single calendar year, we are being buoyed by immensely talented and driven franchisees like the Koertners, who see the tremendous opportunity our brand presents and recognize the massive demand for accessible, healthy food,” said Steele Smiley, founder and Executive Chairman of Steele Brands, who founded Crisp & Green in 2016.

Crisp & Green serves up grain bowls, salads, smoothies and more that are handcrafted with sustainable, consciously sourced ingredients, according to a news release. The full menu can be found here.

“We’re overflowing with anticipation and excitement for the opening of our Vernon Hills restaurant, which not only signifies the start of our franchise journey, but is also a deeply meaningful community-building endeavor in an area that’s so important to Clark and me,” said Gina Koertner. “Bringing health and fitness to Vernon Hills is extremely rewarding, and we can’t wait to watch Crisp & Green become a staple eatery for fellow residents and health aficionados who share our passion for a health-inspired lifestyle.”