Michael and Elizabeth Lee aim to inject health-focused fare into fast food with their new concept inside the St. Clair Square Mall in Fairview Heights. Fitopia opens Oct. 1.
Elizabeth Lee said she wanted to embrace the best parts of a fast-food eatery – the price and speed – and leave the burgers, fries and milkshakes behind. “This concept has been on my mind for 16 years,” Lee said.
Customers at Fitopia step up to the counter and build their own bowls, salads or wraps with a base of white or brown rice or quinoa, a protein of their choice and one of four vegetable and dressing blends: classic, Southwestern, Thai or Mediterranean. Fresh fruit smoothies, breakfast options and soups are also available, as are snack-sized cups filled with veggies, fruit or protein like grilled chicken and black beans.
Lee said they hope their concept catches on quickly; the couple already has their eyes on expansion. “We want to be able to turn Fitopia into a chain that will be featured on every street corner,” Lee said. “Hopefully mothers will eventually be able to take their kids through a Fitopia drive thru.”
Fitopia will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This article appears in September 2016.