Raising children with an active and healthy lifestyle inspired a business couple to open a restaurant that won two categories in the Western Wheel Best of the Foothills Readers’ Choice Awards.
“Our kids and ourselves were always interested in healthy pursuits,” said Larry Mathieson, who owns Freshii Okotoks with his wife Cathy. “We started looking at franchises that focus on convenience, but also health. Freshii came on our radar.”
That radar signal was picked up throughout the Foothills and Freshii was selected no. 1 in both the Best Place for Fast Food and Best Place for Healthy Eats categories.
The Mathiesons opened the Freshii Okotoks last August after doing a year of research.
“We noticed going to the gym in Okotoks the number of gyms, health food stores, yoga… the community support for fitness, health and so on,” Mathieson said. “We thought it would be an ideal community for a Freshii.”
Health means fresh.
Freshii offers an assortment of wraps, soups, burritos, salads and other dishes all using fresh ingredients, from beans to walnuts.
Fresh means early.
“We get in early in the morning and start chopping broccoli and prepping vegetables to get them ready on the line,” Mathieson said. “On busy days we have someone working in the back to replenish the carrots, salsa and everything.”
Hormone-free proteins — chicken, steak, tofu and falafel — can be added to all dishes.
Although the moniker “fast food” conjures up images not associated with healthy eats, Mathieson doesn’t mind the label.
“I was pretty excited to hear that we had won that award,” Mathieson said. “We are thrilled that people in Okotoks see us as a healthy alternative and nominated for us. If people are seeing us as the go-to as fast food, we know the people of Okotoks are choosing to eat healthy.”
One of the newest items on Freshii’s menu is also proving to be one of the most popular.
“The Bamboo Bowl we introduced at the end of March, and it was supposed to be limited offer, but it became or guests’ favourite,” Mathieson said. “Prior to that it was the Buddha’s Satay.”
Worldwide, the Pangoa Bowl is the biggest seller.
All of the items are made fresh to order, to not only meet their clients’ taste but health concerns.
Individuals with low-sodium diets may request no cheese for example or a different sauce.
“It might be something as simple as replacing a sauce with lemon or olive oil or the cilantro-lime dressing because there is lower sodium,” Mathieson said.
Freshii also offers breakfasts, sweet treats as well as boxed meals.
Freshii Okotoks is located at 200 Southridg
