NJ native brand Frutta Bowls debuts in first Walmart location

Freehold-native brand Frutta Bowls, which was acquired by Saladworks parent company WOWorks in December 2020, has opened at the 2150 Chili Ave. Walmart Grocery location in Rochester, N.Y.

The opening comes after WOWorks signed a deal for 90 non-traditional retail presences with Ghost Kitchen Brands in the spring of this year. Ghost Kitchens began rolling out its hybrid virtual brand/ghost kitchen concept in dozens of Walmart stores in North America in March, allowing shoppers to select items from the menus of several national brands combined in a single order.

Saladworks will also be present at the Rochester location.

“We’re thrilled to make yet another debut for Saladworks inside a major retailer, and the first for Frutta Bowls. These partnerships have proven to be incredible opportunities for WOWorks, and we’re looking forward to the growth that will come out of this opening,” said Eric Lavinder, chief development officer for WOWorks in a prepared statement. “Guests continue to receive the same hospitality and healthy experience they have at our stand-alone restaurants, but with even more accessibility and convenience at Walmart locations.”

Frutta Bowls offers customizable acai and pitaya bowls and smoothies, along with other healthy snacks. Frutta Bowls founder and CEO Brooke Gagliano, who started the company at age 23 in 2013 and grew it to more than 20 locations, is now a franchisee of Frutta Bowls, according to a WOWorks spokesperson. More than 30 locations are currently open nationwide.