Eats & Beats: Mad about Greens for 10 years now

interview with Marley Hodgson

One of metro Denver’s most popular healthy fast casual outlets is Mad Greens, which opened in Denver in December of 2004.  Co-founder Marley Hodgson visited “First Take with Lando and Chavis” to describe the method behind the madness.

It took chutzpah to open a salad restaurant in December, when most people are craving comfort food and holiday sweets.  ”It was a little mad, in keeping with who we are,” said Hodgson.   “We didn’t know better, but when Dan (co-founder Long) and I started, we didn’t just want one restaurant.”  Today a dozen Mad Greens stores dot the front range, and another 12 are on the drawing board.

Hodgson considers his restaurants early adopters when it comes to nutrition information, so upcoming labeling and posting rules for chain restaurants are no big deal.  ”We embraced it five years ago on our boards so everybody can see (the calories and ingredients).”

In the interview above, Hodgson also discusses the Mad Greens farm in Elizabeth, Colo., and the long-established practice of serving products from local vendors.  Sustainable, local food seems to be the standard practice for Front Range eateries.

To celebrate their 10th year, Mad Greens is offering a variety of daily giveaways through December 10.