Chicago-born fast-casual chain FARE is putting serious money where Charlotte’s appetite is, committing more than $1 million to a high-profile restaurant slot at Queensbridge Collective. The health-focused concept will bring its first Queen City location to the Vivian tower this fall, with founder Kasia Bednarz already sizing up Plaza Midwood for a second outpost. The move adds another build-your-bowl option to the fast-growing stretch between Uptown and South End.
According to the Charlotte Business Journal, FARE has invested more than $1,000,000 in its Queensbridge Collective space and expects to open at Vivian in early fall. The outlet also notes that Bednarz is eyeing Plaza Midwood as the brand’s second Charlotte location, signaling that this is not a one-and-done experiment.
On its locations page, FARE lists both Queensbridge Collective and a Plaza Midwood address as “Coming Fall 2026.” The brand leans on a menu built around seasonal bowls, toasts and morning items, and the locations page indicates the Charlotte spots will follow the same fast-casual playbook that has worked in Chicago.
Queensbridge Collective’s Retail Pull
Queensbridge Collective is being marketed as a key new link between Uptown and South End, and its first residential tower, the Vivian, has already begun move-ins and retail leasing. The Charlotte Observer and developer materials describe a roughly 20,000-square-foot retail footprint with a mix of dining and other tenants, the kind of polished environment that tends to lure national fast-casual players looking for reliable foot traffic.
Why FARE Is Betting on Charlotte
FARE has quickly become one of Chicago’s faster-growing fast-casual brands. The company landed on Inc.’s 2025 5000 list for rapid growth, which helps explain its appetite for expansion into new markets. Developer and leasing information points to rising resident counts and a growing office presence in Center City, making Charlotte a logical next step for a brand that thrives on dense daytime and evening crowds.
Materials for Queensbridge highlight plans for a blend of national names and local food and beverage operators, suggesting that incoming tenants like FARE will benefit from a built-in customer base once public spaces fully open. For a deeper look at the project’s leasing strategy and retail lineup, check out coverage at CityBiz.
FARE has not rolled out a Charlotte-specific menu yet, but its existing lineup of seasonal bowls, toasts and breakfast-style offerings suggests the new locations will mirror the established Chicago model. Customers watching for opening dates and hours can keep an eye on FARE for updates as fall approaches.
