MAD Greens, a fast-paced restaurant chain specializing in salads, paninis and wraps, opened its fourth Arizona location on Seventh Avenue and McDowell Road Wednesday with a charity event benefiting Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
The grand opening provided customers free made-to-order salads and a free drink. Employees accepted cash and credit-card donations for the children’s hospital.
Co-owners and childhood friends Marley Hodgson and Dan Long started the series of restaurants in Colorado and opened their first Arizona location in Tempe in May. The pair decided to expand to the Valley because of the availability of local produce and the proximity to Colorado, where they own and operate 12 MAD Greens locations.
Hodgson said the mission of MAD Greens is to create an alternative fast-food option for people who want to eat quality, healthy food at an affordable price.
“Healthy food tended to be relegated to more expensive restaurants, and we felt it was important to bring that to everyone,” Hodgson said. “It’s not an easy task because produce is expensive, but over the years we’ve managed to keep our prices down.”
MAD Greens locally sources its food, and all of the dishes on the menu are made from scratch, including 21 salad dressings. The restaurant partners with local farmers, which include Abby Lee Farms and Duncan Family Farms in Buckeye.
“A lot of restaurants are doing local because it’s a hot trend, and they are just doing it to satisfy what they think is in demand,” Hodgson said. “For us it makes a difference, and we know that.”
The lunch crowd line was out the door for the restaurant’s grand opening, with customers hoping to snag a free meal and support the children’s hospital.
“The food seems very natural and is delicious. I like the alternative for sugary drinks, and the service was really good,” said attendee Lupe Garnica. “I’m very grateful that they provided the opportunity to help people.”
The name “MAD” comes from the first names of the two founders, but carries out the theme. The salads are named after “mad” characters, like the “Don Quixote” or the “Ty Cobb.” Some of the salads are named specifically after Arizona figure, such as the “Doc Holiday” and the “FLW” or Frank Lloyd Wright. This concept continues Hodgson’s reasoning that restaurants should be fun and embrace their quirky side.
The food also impressed Domingo Delun, who said his daughter came in Wednesday morning and immediately told him to try it.
“The food and the Mexican Coke are awesome,” Delun said. “My grandma couldn’t have done better.”
Hodgson said he hopes the new location will become a staple for Phoenix lunch-goers.
The new MAD Greens location is open Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Contact the reporter at Lia.Juriansz@asu.edu
