A Houston-born salad chain that opened its first Cibolo location on May 12, 2025, appears to be setting its sights on New Braunfels next. Salata, known for its build-your-own salads and wraps, opened its Cibolo Crossing location at 18384 I-35 N., Suite 101 on May 12, marking the chain's first restaurant in the Northeast San Antonio area.
According to Community Impact, the Cibolo location is also notable for being the first Salata restaurant overall to have a separate kitchen dedicated solely to online orders — a setup aimed at speeding up pickup and delivery without slowing down the in-store line. The fast-casual chain offers build-your-own salads and wraps alongside soups, organic teas, and lemonades, according to the same report.
Now the chain is reportedly considering a New Braunfels location. CultureMap San Antonio reported that Salata plans to open in a 2,388-square-foot space at the former Coleman Plant site, 766 FM 306. Salata has not officially announced the project, according to the report.
What the Permit Filings Show
A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing for 766 FM 306 identifies a project at the address. CultureMap San Antonio reported that construction is expected to be completed in March 2027. The available filing materials do not list an estimated project cost, and they do not independently establish final tenant confirmation, hours or staffing.
What transportation plans mean for the site
The Texas Department of Transportation project description cited here does not provide a traffic count for the former Coleman Plant site. It does outline a proposed $4.5 million improvement on FM 306 from River Chase Way to Hoffmann Lane that would widen the road from two lanes to four, add a continuous left-turn lane, and provide bike lanes and sidewalks. TxDOT also says proposed improvements to SH 46 and I-35 are intended to address current and projected traffic volumes, regional population growth, congestion, mobility and safety. The agency says that project remains preliminary, with its schedule dependent on environmental clearance and funding.
The proposed New Braunfels site would expand Salata's area presence beyond its Cibolo restaurant and four San Antonio locations, according to CultureMap San Antonio. The Houston-based chain, founded in 2005, has grown to more than 90 restaurants in five states, the outlet reported.
Company background
Salata founder Berge Simonian's path to the chain began with a Houston deli he opened with his parents. Salad-bar orders reportedly became more popular than the deli's other offerings, helping inspire the concept. CultureMap San Antonio also reported that Simonian previously opened the unsuccessful Hot Press panini venture and studied engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington.
The concept is built around customizable salads and wraps, with proteins, toppings and dressings selected by customers. The menu also includes soups, organic teas, lemonades and other sides, according to CultureMap San Antonio.
For now, the New Braunfels plans remain unconfirmed by Salata. The project's address and reported timeline come from the state filing and local reporting rather than an official company rollout announcement. If the reported schedule holds, the FM 306 restaurant would become Salata's fifth foothold in the greater San Antonio region after the Cibolo location opened in May 2025.
