Chopt Parent Acquires Protein Bar & Kitchen

Ben Coley, Editor, QSR

January 15, 2026

The fast casual recently launched a franchising program and has dozens of units in development.

Founders Table Restaurant Group—the parent of Chopt and Dos Toros—announced on Thursday the acquisition of Protein Bar & Kitchen.

Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Founded in 2009 in downtown Chicago, Protein Bar operates 15 corporate units and four licensed locations. Some of its shops can be found in nontraditional locations like airports, hospitals, and college campuses. Firmly in the better-for-you space, the concept is known for its healthy meals across breakfast, snack, lunch, and catering dayparts, including bowls, burritos, salads, wraps, smoothies, and protein shakes.

Protein Bar hopes to accelerate future growth through a recently launched franchising program. The plan is to expand in Indianapolis, suburban Chicago, and other markets throughout 2026. The chain has 30 franchised and licensed locations in development.

Protein Bar announced in March 2025 that it signed a three-unit franchise agreement in Indianapolis. The operators, wife-and-husband team Jamie Little and Cody Selman, previously operated Jimmy John’s and Nothing Bundt Cakes franchises.

The chain revealed in 2023 that it earned $1.2 million in AUV and that it wanted 100 shops in five years. It also reported 33 percent same-store sales growth in 2024 thanks to brand awareness campaigns, efficient operations, and digital marketing efforts.

The brand has been led by CEO Jeff Drake and COO Jared Cohen since 2017.

“We are thrilled to join the Founders Table family alongside Chopt and Dos Toros,” Drake said in a statement. “All three brands have proven success not only in traditional street locations, but also in non-traditional settings.”

Drake told QSR magazine last year that Protein Bar is priced on the lower end of better-for-you fast casuals and that the first steps toward value are hospitality and “delivering a great customer experience.”

“We have that value proposition built into our model. But it starts with the guest having a frictionless experience,” Drake said. “If it’s a digital experience that they’re going to use, make sure that order accuracy is correct; food is prepared correctly, and the driver is getting there at the promised time. For in-store transactions, it’s all about recognition of the guest, making sure the guest feels valued in that experience. Giving great hospitality.”

Founders Table was forged in 2020, uniting Chopt and Dos Toros under one umbrella. The goal was to scale founder-led restaurant brands. Chopt has over 100 units in 11 states and Washington, D.C. while Dos Toros has 20 units in New York and Washington, D.C.

The acquisition builds on an existing co-tenant collaboration in LaGuardia Airport between Chopt and Protein Bar. Now, Founders Table wants to leverage Protein Bar’s footprint to place company-owned locations in new markets and nontraditional venues.

“We see enormous opportunity in premium and blended beverages, and have been following PBK’s success over the past several years. We’re excited to welcome Jeff and the PBK team to Founders Table,” Chopt CEO Nick Marsh said in a statement.