Fresh Choice Shuts Down

The salad days are over.

Thanks to a mountain of debt, the recession, and a theme that just didn't hit with the 20- and 30-somethings needed for profit, popular salad bar-centric restaurant chain Fresh Choice has shut down, according to the Bay Area News Group.

The restaurant chain has been in bankruptcy for most of the year, its second time through the process. By November, Fresh Choice had no choice but liquidation, and shut down all of its 20 stores.

The theme at least lives in two rebranded restaurants: owner David Boyd has opened "California Fresh" at former Fresh Choice locations in San Leandro and Cupertino, the news service reported.

This new eatery is "more sleek and customized," Boyd told reporters. Gone are the all-you-can-eat salad bar buffet, which contributed to Fresh Choice's decline and fall.