We’re all being encouraged to be more health conscious, so it’s no surprise that the salad business is booming across the UK as Brits swap their lunch sandwiches for a lighter option.
Atis, the London brand of ‘plant-focused salads and grain bowls’, announced the opening of its sixth site next month, with another four planned this year.
Meanwhile, Farmer J secured £5.5m investment in February, thanks to its ever-popular salad trays.
There’s no doubt the country has an appetite for nutritious salad bowls, but the new lunchtime trend has one major setback: exorbitant prices.
Unlike the relatively low cost of a sandwich, salad bowls can cost upwards of £10, which has sparked outrage on social media, with customers complaining that while their salad may taste “delicious”, the prices are too expensive.
Salads have become an increasingly popular lunch option for UK workers, but how much are you willing to pay?
Pret remains a lunchtime staple for workers looking for a quick but healthy lunchtime fix.
Their summer menu introduced four new salad options, including a salmon and mango salad bowl, a feta pasta and grilled pepper salad, and a chicken satay salad bowl.
But good news is accompanied by bad news. The cheapest new salad costs £8.30, while the most expensive, salmon and mango, costs £8.40.
But the national chain ranks relatively low on the price scale. One of London’s trendiest salad companies, Urban Greens, charges £14.35 for its ‘Beef Saigon’ salad bowl when you order on Deliveroo.
Elsewhere, the Salad Project is all the rage in the UK capital, with the brand regularly generating half-hour queues. Their success is reflected in the 4,000 salads they sell every day in London alone.
“These are delicious salads,” said James Dare, co-founder of The Salad Project, in a conversation with The times. And he added: “Yes, they are more expensive than a salad you can buy in Pret.” But they will keep you full. You won’t need to eat a sandwich right afterward.
They may keep you full, but expect the opposite effect on your bank account if the Salad Project becomes a regular lunchtime stop.
Their vegan ‘Super Green Bowl’ with pearl barley, arugula, spinach, green beans, broccoli, croutons, edamame, tamari tofu and avocado will set customers back £14.95.
Hungry customers can purchase a ‘Beef Saigon’ salad (pictured) from Urban Greens priced at £14.35
And if one wants a drink and a snack with their salad, Salad Project is offering a Deliveroo meal deal for £17.
Elsewhere, Farmer J has proven to be an increasingly popular choice for workers who want a healthy bite.
Content creator Stephanie Jane Oakes, from London, commented on TikTok: “Do you even work in London if you haven’t queued in Farmer J’s ridiculously long queue?”, before sharing her request.
Stephanie opted for the ‘Grass-Fed Charred Flank Steak’ salad tray, which costs a staggering £15.75 on Deliveroo.
Other options at the chain include a ‘Farmer’s Catch’ salmon tray for £12.95 and a Harissa chicken tray for £13.95.
Farmer J’s success in London led to the chain receiving a £5.5m investment in February, and the chain plans further expansion in the UK and overseas in the US, according to RestaurantOnline.
Elsewhere, Atis’ ‘Azteca’ house salad, filled with lettuce, baby corn and black beans, costs £12 when ordered on Deliveroo – and that’s without the protein.
If you want to add chicken, you have to add £5.50, or £6.90 even more for salmon.
Lauren Tanner shared her experience visiting the Atis branch in Old Street, London, where she paid an “irresponsible” amount of £16 for a salad.
Lauren claimed it was “delicious,” but the price prompted her to add, “First and last time I’ll order a salad.”
Meanwhile, Whole Foods, a supermarket known for offering high-end items at an equally high price, is surprisingly on the lower end of the spectrum.
While customers can make their own salad bowl at most chains for a variable price, pre-mixed salad bowls are also available. For example, their Mediterranean chicken salad costs £7.49.
However, the cost of lunchtime salads has sparked outrage on social media, with customers taking to X to share their disapproval.
The price of the salads has caused outrage on X, formerly Twitter, with users taking to social media to complain.
One said: “The salad shop next door in east London is doing a Caesar (no protein, just skinless lettuce and a couple of croutons) for £9.80 in east London.”
A second added: “The checkout guy in Pret just now said to me: ‘How can I help you my friend?’ and then charged me £8.40 for a small box of salad. Friends don’t do that to each other.” They just don’t do it.
‘God, I love London. Where else in the world can you buy the blandest salad you’ve ever had for £18? wrote a third:
A fourth asked: ‘Why are salads so expensive?’ They’re just leaves, I can go out and find thousands of them. How can a salad justify the £13 cost?
The cost of street salads…
The salad project
‘Supergreen’ Salad Bowl – £14.95
Salad Project customers can expect to wait in line for up to 30 minutes to receive their salad bowls (pictured, ‘Supergreen’ salad bowl)
pretty
Salmon and mango salad – £8.40
Pret has introduced several new salads as part of its summer range, including the salmon and mango bowl (pictured).
farmer j
Salmon Country Tray – £12.95
Farmer J sells salads mixed with a protein in its signature farm trays and plans to expand to the US.
Attis
Seiz’a Salad – £11.50
With chicken – +5.50€
With salmon – +€6.90
Atis charges £11.50 for its version of Caesar salad (pictured) and an additional £5.50 for chicken.
Whole-grain foods
Mediterranean Chicken Salad – £7.49
WholeFoods is known to be on the expensive side of supermarkets, but its £7.49 Mediterranean salad (pictured) is on the lower end of the spectrum.
urban greens
Saigon Beef Salad – £14.35
Salad chain Urban Greens is popping up across the UK capital, where customers can get a steak salad for £14.35 (pictured)
Prices taken from Deliveroo branches in London