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JOHN SCARDAPANE
TITLE: chairman and chief executive, Saladworks, Ccmshohockeri, Pa.
BIRTH DATE: Sept. 11, 1963
HOMETOWN: Voorhees, NJ.
EDUCATION: attended St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: opening first Saladworks store; earning first "Best of Philadelphia" award from Philadelphia Magazine
After working as an executive chef for private country clubs, John Scardapane opened his first Saladworks store in a mall in Cherry Hill, N.J., in 1986. The quick-service concept offers made-to-order salads, along with soups and sandwiches. The chain has grown to comprise 71 units in and around Philadelphia, as well as in Chicago and Florida.
Q: Why did you decide to move from your post as an executive chef to start a salad operation?
A: Back in the early '805, when newer pointof-sale systems were coming out, we were seeing an increase in our salad-entree sales and a smaller increase in larger-volume movers like burgers, steaks, sandwiches. I was looking for a full-service restaurant to operate, but then I was approached by a mall company that had a failing concept and wanted something new. Nobody was...