FARE OPENS IN CHARLOTTE, BRINGING SEASONAL, CLEAN EATING TO NORTH CAROLINA

The opening of FARE Queensbridge Collective today marks the better-for-you restaurant's first location outside Chicago.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FARE, the female-founded, fast-casual restaurant on a mission to prove that fast food can be real food, officially opens its first Charlotte location at Queensbridge Collective today, Friday, November 6, 2026. Located on the ground floor of the Vivian, the residential building at Queensbridge Collective, at 111 E. Carson Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, the new restaurant marks FARE's first expansion beyond Chicago.

"Bringing FARE to Charlotte is a major milestone for us," said Kasia Bednarz, Founder & CEO of FARE. "It's more than a new location; it's proof of what FARE can be beyond Chicago. Expanding into a new market lets us keep building on our mission to make real, clean food accessible, and we're excited to become part of the Charlotte community."

A first-generation American, Bednarz launched FARE in 2018 after struggling to find a quick, convenient option that was wholesome and made with real, clean ingredients, so she decided to create one herself. What started as one restaurant in Chicago has since grown to 10 locations across Illinois, with Charlotte marking FARE's 11th location and its first expansion beyond its home market.

FARE Queensbridge Collective is open daily from 7:00 AM-9:00 PM. To celebrate the grand opening, FARE is partnering with OLIPOP, the nationally recognized, rapidly growing prebiotic soda brand, on an Apple Crisp Float, available while supplies last. The first 100 guests in line will also receive a free plate entree. Official grand opening celebrations kick off at 11:00 AM.

FARE offers a seasonally inspired, nutrition-forward menu that balances healthy and indulgent options for every time of day and every size gathering.

Breakfast

• Egg dishes: Egg Wrap, Scrambled Egg Bowl, or Egg Sandwich, all made with organic eggs
• Overnight Oats or a Greek Yogurt Parfait with Seasonal Fruit Compote and Purely Elizabeth Granola
• Smoothies with organic milk and greek yogurt, wild-sourced blueberries and EPIC protein powder – absolutely no fruit juice or ice.
• Lighter options: an Intelligentsia handcrafted espresso beverage paired with a Seedy Cookie or a slice of Toasted Almond Bread

Lunch & Dinner

• Choice of proteins: Bluehouse Atlantic Salmon, Basil Turkey Meatballs, Smoky Chicken, or Phoenix Bean Tofu
• Year-round sides: Harissa Sweet Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Green Goddess Slaw, and Roasted Carrots
• Seasonal sides, rotating quarterly
• Served as: a Bowl, Market Plate, or Kid's Plate — or ordered in bulk for family meals and weekly meal prep
• Available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery via the FARE app.

About FARE

FARE is a fast-casual restaurant offering a seasonally inspired, nutrition-forward menu designed to be both craveable and nourishing. Every item adheres to six non-negotiables:

• Scratch made daily in each location
• Deliciously good food, fast
• Zero seed oils or refined sugars
• Satisfying portions of high-quality, nutrient-dense food
• No ultra-processed ingredients
• Full ingredient transparency

We are the food you wish you could make at home every day – simple, nourishing meals made from clean, easy-to-pronounce ingredients. "Your Kitchen Away From Home" guides our team as we continue to innovate recipes that nourish the body, mind, and spirit.

For more information about living the #FARElifestyle, visit foodbyfare.com, follow @foodbyfare on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and sign up for The Garden Club to stay up to date on special events and offerings.

SOURCE FARE/ MATTIO Communications