A small salad stand in Oslo’s Youngstorget square has grown into a company with 120 employees and 34 branches across Norway in just six years. The Salad Man, founded by Anders Lunde in 2020, now serves over 20,000 customers weekly. Lunde started with a single cart near the Parliament building, selling pre-cut vegetables and homemade dressings. What began as a lunch break idea for office workers became a national food chain.
The company’s expansion followed a 2023 investment from Norselife Capital, which provided 80 million NOK. The funds allowed The Salad Man to open its first locations outside Oslo, including Bergen and Trondheim. By 2025, the chain had doubled its workforce and introduced a subscription meal plan for corporate clients. Competitors like Fresh & Fit and Green Bowl struggled to match its growth rate.
Lunde credits the success to consistent quality and local sourcing. All vegetables come from farms within 200 kilometers of each outlet. The menu changes weekly based on seasonal produce. A recent customer survey showed 94% satisfaction with taste and portion sizes. The company also reduced plastic waste by 40% after switching to compostable packaging in 2024.
Next year, The Salad Man plans to enter Sweden, starting with Stockholm. The expansion will include 10 new locations and a central production kitchen to supply them. Lunde told local media the goal is to become the Nordic region’s leading salad provider. The company’s turnover reached 180 million NOK in 2025, up from 45 million in 2022.
Source: e24.no