I'm so there

'Denver is particularly attractive to quick-casual operators because of its reputation as being more health-conscious than other cities, restaurant experts said. Colorado has provided its share of quick-casual players, including Denver-based Chipotle and Boulder-based Noodles & Co.

"It's more about fresh eating with these concepts," said Eric Giandelone, editorial manager at Technomic. "It's not something sitting under the heat lamp. It's something you can see being made, and for many consumers, fresh equals healthy."

Within the salad sector, Mad Greens has emerged as the local chain with the most aggressive expansion plans.

The company opened its first store in Centennial in 2004 and followed with a second in Cherry Creek in November. It recently announced plans to open on the 16th Street Mall downtown. It has two more locations planned this year, including one in Boulder's redeveloped Crossroads Mall, now called Twenty Ninth Street.'

Full article here: Denver Post