Business: Hospitality: Restaurants

Baby Greens

2316 South First Street
Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 512-462-1697
Fax: 512-462-6096
Email: sharon.mays@gmail.com
www.ilovesalads.com
Industry: Restaurant
Year Founded: 2003

Owner: Sharon E. Mays
About the owner: Raised in Austin. Graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in public relations. Worked in the Austin entertainment/marketing industry for 8 years and left due to overall disenchantment. Came up with the idea for Baby Greens in 2001, researched the concept, and made the big leap in 2003.

Products and Services: Baby Greens is a drive thru salad restaurant, serving salads and salad wraps (salad wrapped in a flavored tortilla or served in lettuce leaves). Every salad is offered with grilled chicken breast or with pecans. We have 10 salad dressings that are made fresh every day.

History: Baby Greens was truly born of frustration. I came up with the idea when I decided to give vegetarianism a try. Spending the majority of my days running around in my car and not eating meat didn't really fit together very well. I kept thinking 'I wish I could just get a salad to go'. Salads had yet to be added to the menu of every fast food restaurant, so I would have to pack my car with little ice chests full of fresh fruits and vegetables. One day I was sitting at my crappy job, trying to think of a business to start (I've always wanted to own my own business), and it just hit me. Drive thru salads! At first I didn't think that enough people would be interested in the idea for it to work. Then about 3 months later, Wendy's launched their line of salads. And then every other fast food chain followed suite. At first I didn't think I could compete with national restaurant chains. Then I tried their salads. I knew I could make better food that was fresh, healthy and actually tasted good. I spent about two years researching and planning. I got a job working in the restaurant industry so I gain some practical knowledge/skills. Then I went for it. Baby Greens opened its doors on January 8, 2004. We have been open almost seven months and are doing quite well. We have received critical acclaim (Honorable Mention - Best New Restaurant and Best Take Out in the 2003/4 Austin Chronicle Restaurant Poll) as well as extreme devotion from our customers. Our average customer chooses Baby Greens 3 to 4 times a week for her/his lunch destination. We are also in the process of beautifying our location. Baby Greens is located at the corner of South First and Oltorf. So many restaurants have come and gone from this location, some people think it's cursed. I don't believe in curses; however, I do believe in making the corner into something totally different. I have hired a local landscape artist to add some beautiful native plants to the area, giving the corner a much needed makeover. Also, a local artist (and Baby Greens customer) has been commissioned to paint a mural on the side of the building.

Locations: 2316 South First Street

mobile (512) 565-6176