I recently dropped by Freshii, a Canadian fast food chain that prides itself on whipping up healthy and flavour-packed meals. They cater to breakfast, lunch and dinner crowds, and boy, they've got quite a treat for each time of the day.
Freshii's journey began with Matthew Corrin, a visionary who founded this health-centric restaurant chain in 2005. The first location was in Toronto and it was a smash hit from day one! Imagine a nutritious menu so tantalizing that everything was sold out by lunchtime. Corrin's eureka moment came during his stint in New York while working for the fashion guru, Oscar de la Renta. He saw how New York delis were popping out healthful meals but lacked the branding finesse of fast-casual chains. He decided to combine the best of both worlds and thus, Freshii materialized. And interestingly, it was originally known as Lettuce Eatery - pun intended!
Straight afterwards, Corrin took to expanding his health food empire across Canada, the US as well as South America and other global locations. Freshii has earned the title of one of the fastest-growing franchises in Canada and also paved the way for Corrin to garner numerous awards and recognition. In 2016, it was said that Freshii was launching an average of 3.5 new outlets per week! Fast forward to 2022, Foodtastic Inc. acquires Freshii.
The Freshii magic has touched more than 85 cities across 20 countries, including Colombia, Peru, Switzerland, Austral, Ireland, the UAE, and Sweden, and the expansion doesn't stop here. They are setting up a culinary footprint in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Germany, and Guatemala too!
If you're interested in finding out more about Freshii, Corrin, or need a heads up on their nutritional information, do make a stop at their official website, www.freshii.com.
So, What Sets Freshii Apart?
My experience at Freshii was particularly enjoyable for a couple of reasons:
A Palette of Fresh, Delicious, Healthy Food
Half of Freshii's menu is a veritable garden of plant-based goodness. They work with local farmers and suppliers for fresh pickings of fruits, veggies, and herbs, given the location. You'd also be tasting the wholesomeness of salmon from certified sustainable fisheries in Scotland and Norway, alongside quinoa delivered from the heartlands of Bolivia and Peru.
People looking to eat healthier, without compromising on taste or time are sure to love all things Freshii.
Savory Economical Eats
Given the affordability of Freshii in comparison to other fast-casual chains, nutritious food has never been more accessible to the general public. This is truly a great place to feast healthfully without breaking the bank!
A Menu That's Yours to Craft
One of my favorite features of Freshii is the customizable menu. You have carte blanche to mix and match ingredients to craft bowls, wraps, salads, and burritos that suit your palate. Health food has never been this personally catered!
A Green Credo
Freshii is also dedicated to eco-friendly and sustainable practices. They underscore this commitment through biodegradable packaging, eco-friendly operations in every restaurant, and sourcing from sustainable farms and fisheries.
Allow me to give you a little preview of what the Freshii menu brings to the table:
- Smoothies
- Breakfast
- Soups
- Salads
- Wraps
- Bowls
- Burritos
- Kids' Menu
- Snacks
- Frozen Yogurt
- Drinks
- Juices
From fruit-filled smoothies and frozen yogurts, breakfast burritos and yogurt parfaits, to a warm and cozy line-up of soups, Freshii's menu is made to delight. The customizability extends to salads and wraps, bowls and burritos. Just so you know, they nail it each time, regardless of how you like your dish!
They have a popular choice list too, featuring the likes of Metaboost Salad, Buddha's Satay Bowl, Teriyaki Twist Bowl, Fiesta Salad, and the Oaxaca Bowl. And if you're a juice fan, their lineup of house-original bottles is a must-try.
Any Vegan Options at Freshii?
Freshii doesn't have a specific vegan menu, but not to worry, their regular menu is vegan-friendly. You have the freedom to swap out ingredients to make your meal vegan. If you're looking to keep things simple, try their Umami Salad or Wrap, the Baja Burrito, Khao San Burrito, Vegetable Spicy Lemongrass Soup or the Superfood Soup. All vegan and palatable!
Oh yes, Freshii knows how to cook up a feast for the little ones too! Their Kids' menu comes with a Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla, a Kid's Power Bowl, Super Kids Salad, and an adorable Strawberry Banana Smoothie. Also, thumbs up to them for designing their kids' menu based on a daily 1500-calorie intake, suitable for kids under 14 years of age.
Does Freshii Deliver?
You bet! I've ordered meals off the Freshii app for delivery and pick-up from my nearby location multiple times. They also encourage online ordering through their official website. And if you're more accustomed to using third-party delivery services, you can find Freshii on Seamless, Postmates, Uber Eats, and DoorDash - just be sure to check availability for your location.
When Can I Visit Freshii?
Freshii is open early to cater to your breakfast cravings, typically around 6 am or 7 am and they stay open until 9 pm or 10 pm. You might want to check out their individual location hours though, which can be found via 'Find a Store' on their official website.
My Pros and Cons of Freshii
Pros:
- Extensive, customizable menu
- Plant-based options and responsible sourcing
- Affordable pricing
- Eco-friendly practices
- Available in multiple locations worldwide
Cons:
- Menu can be overwhelming for first-time visitors
- No designated vegan menu, requiring substitutions
- Hours of operation can vary based on location
But all said and done, Freshii is a great place to fill up without feeling weighed down, where you can experiment with health food in a way that's fun, easy and utterly delicious!