New York Salad Chain to Open First SC Location Near Columbia

Chopt Creative Salad Co., a New York salad chain, will open its first SC location near Columbia in Forest Acres. The new restaurant will occupy Suite 16 at Trenholm Plaza, 4840 Forest Drive.

Opening date and event

The store will open March 25. A grand opening event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The first 50 customers who place an order in-store or on the Chopt app will receive a free branded tote bag. Guests who sign up for the Chopt rewards program and place an order can spin a prize wheel for merchandise, a free salad, or a $20 gift card.

The prize wheel will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on opening day, while supplies last.

Store features and ordering

The Forest Acres location will use the Chopt 4.0 store design. The layout focuses on efficiency and sustainability.

Customers can order at an in-store kiosk. The restaurant also accepts ahead-of-time orders via its website and app.

Where it sits in the plaza

Chopt will open on the north side of Trenholm Plaza. It sits near Tazza Kitchen and 16 Handles frozen yogurt.

The new spot will take over the end-cap space that formerly housed Chipotle. The site overlooks Forest Drive.

Local context and traffic

Trenholm Plaza includes tenants such as Publix, The Fresh Market, Chicken Salad Chick and J. Crew Factory. The center remains a regional shopping hub.

About 28,000 cars travel along Forest Drive each day, according to 2024 South Carolina Department of Transportation data. The plaza has seen other salad concepts before, including Verde, which closed there in 2024.

Brand background

Chopt was founded in New York City in 2001. The chain operates across the East Coast.

Company materials say the mission is to make healthy eating exciting and celebrate global flavors. The brand emphasizes buying local produce and partnering with farmers.

State presence

The Forest Acres restaurant will be Chopt’s only location in South Carolina, according to the company store locator. The chain currently maintains four locations in the Charlotte area.

Announcements and reporting

The City of Forest Acres first reported the addition last August. Chopt announced the grand opening and giveaway on Facebook, and the city highlighted the news on Instagram.

Filmogaz.com will follow local developments and provide updates as the new restaurant opens to the public.