Salad Creations doesn’t just have a look, it has a sound—frequent cheers from the crew. “When someone drops a tip in the tip jar, someone yells, ‘Can I get a thank you?’ and the crew responds with a loud, ‘Thank you!’” Owens explains. The crew also cheers when a guest earns a free salad with the frequent visitor card.

Another constant sound is the loud, high-energy chopping with double-headed pizza cutters in stainless steel bowls. (Ninety-five percent of customers choose to have their salads chopped, Levine says.)

Salad Creations Radio adds to the ambience with a custom mix of music and promotional messages. “There are reminders for guests, like when you buy eight salads, the ninth one is free,” Owens says. “There are messages for the crew prior to opening, like to check your uniform or make sure the windows are clean.”

The clever use of audio messages is no surprise here. The company has proven itself an innovator in analyzing and influencing behavior. Salad Creations was named QSR’s 2006 Best Overall Program in HR for its use of behavioral science in hiring and identifying potentially successful area developers. Levine credits the program, led by vice president of operational psychology David Glowatzki, with reducing turnover and creating a positive atmosphere.