Atlanta-born gusto! opens downtown on Thursday, March 3, 2022, according to an announcement Tuesday.
Chris Shanks, who has grown alongside the fast-casual Atlanta brand since he first joined the team nearly six years ago, will manage the kitchen of the brand’s ninth shop, at 2 Park Place South SE. gusto! replaces Kung Fu Tea.
Shanks started at gusto! Ponce as a shift leader and quickly progressed to assistant kitchen manager and kitchen manager, furthering his experience at the West Midtown and Decatur locations and more than doubling his income, according to the announcement.
“I’ve been at gusto! since there were only two shops and we were a very small family. Now, we’re gearing up for the ninth opening and while we’re growing in numbers, the closeness of our community hasn’t changed,” Shanks said. “The regulars at our other locations know me and I know them and their orders. I’m excited to welcome our new neighbors and build that same sense of family in Downtown.”
The Downtown location sits between the Five Points and Peachtree MARTA stations with close proximity to Georgia State University. The menu boasts the same flavorful combinations with fresh, high-quality ingredients as its fellow Atlanta-area locations. Guests first select a bowl or wrap, then a base, protein, and “gusto,” or signature flavor profile. From the tangy Chile Sesame BBQ to the refreshing Tzatziki Lemon Artichoke, the gusto! team has mastered the bowl- and wrap-making science, delivering meals with minimal customizations in 30 seconds or less.
The Downtown Atlanta opening kicks off a year of expansion for gusto!. In 2022, the brand will launch four shops with accompanying drive-thrus in Athens, Tucker, Buford and Peachtree City, totaling 13 locations and marking the company’s shift towards the drive-thru model.
gusto! has plans to continue its expansion across the Southeast and was recently recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies on both the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2021 Pacesetters List and Inc. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America List.
