Chopt Creative Salad Company celebrated its pre-opening at the Union on Knox apartment complex in College Park on Tuesday.

The restaurant, which officially opened Wednesday, offers customizable salads, warm bowls and wraps to the College Park community, according to a news release last week. The restaurant donated all its sales from Tuesday to the College Park Community Food Bank.

Chopt has more than 90 locations across 10 states and Washington, D.C. The company aims to source locally, protect the environment and form relationships with farms, according to the company’s website.

Sophomore mechanical engineering major Aidan Maharaj said the restaurant added a “modern vibe” to College Park and fits well into the area. Donations to the food bank played a large factor in him attending the opening, he added.

“The food was so fresh and the sauce was really enriched with the wrap,” Maharaj said.

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Hannah Mayne, a sophomore supply chain management major appreciated how easy it was to order on the store’s kiosk. The option took away the pressure of speaking with someone and quickly deciding which food she wants, Mayne said.

Ken Ulman, Terrapin Development Company president, emphasized the importance of adding healthy options to College Park alongside new places like Insomnia Cookies and Duck Donuts.

“Everywhere it’s just burgers, fries and everything … so I am definitely gonna come back for just the healthy salad and stuff,” senior computer science major Ananya Gupta said.

Colin McCabe, a Chopt co-founder, said the chain has been eyeing College Park for many years because it’s potential to drive business for the restaurant.

McCabe co-founded the restaurant while he was in college to bring healthy options into the fast-food scene. Not only does Chopt serve quality food, he said, but it also helps customers live a healthier and happier lifestyle.

“We see a lot of people who are focused on their health, particularly young people,” McCabe said.

Whenever Chopt opens a new location, it partners with a local food-focused charity, McCabe said.

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The College Park Community Food Bank, which started as a part of the College Park Church of the Nazarene, works to reduce hunger in the city and surrounding communities, according to its website. Food bank president Lisa Bartusek said it relies on volunteers, donations and grants from the city.

Bartusek said Chopt reached out to the food bank to form a partnership for Tuesday’s opening.

“Inflation is kind of bad right now, and prices are going up, so it’s even more important for us to raise money to be able to afford the food we need to benefit our food-insecure neighbors,” Bartusek said.

Ulman and Michael Williams, the city’s economic director, also mentioned the importance of the job opportunities new businesses like Chopt provide. Williams said the city “puts a real big price tag” on hiring local residents.

“It’s really important to have job opportunities and also for these businesses to give back,” Ulman said.

Chopt’s hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

“If you’re looking for fresh, you know what I’m saying … that’s the spot right there — Chopt,” Williams said.