Our Story
The Green District concept is designed to provide high-quality, healthy food to customers in a fun, lively environment. A truly unique experience awaits each customer. The brand, menu, and presentation of the concept is fun, unique, and approachable, and the menu design and food options are simple and easy to understand.
Green District’s menu offers something for everyone. Mouth-watering signature salads allow customers to maximize flavor while keeping their meal affordable.
In conjunction with its focus on healthy food, Green District prides itself on exceptional customer service. Green District staff strive to make each customer feel important and work hard to accommodate all special requests.
Our Mission
To provide a diverse menu of fresh chopped salads to customers on a consistent basis.
Our Locations
Our Locations
Our Team
Jordan Doepke
CEO
I founded Green District to fulfill a need in my city, and leading this company means my job varies from day to day, which is just how I like it. I believe wholeheartedly in our company’s four pillars: Culture, Heritage, Character and Integrity.
I have a strong sales background, where my many successes depended on my own hustle and work ethic. This prepared me to lead the rapid growth of Green District.
I am always working on new and innovative ways to structure our business. I see the QSR industry through a different lens. I try to never do something just because that’s how it’s always been done as I think that can lead to laziness and missed opportunities. It’s vital that our company is always innovating. I’m not just trying to build a restaurant, but a lifestyle brand that has the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of our customers and our employees.
As hard as I work for GDs, my most important work is on a personal level. Building a family on solid, moral principles will be my life’s greatest achievement. Unlike in business, in a family you can’t go anywhere if everyone isn’t on the same page. My wife, who is a total boss in her own industry, supports me and the work that consumes so much of my time. But, even more than that, she’s blessed me with a son and three stepsons who complete our family unit.
Chris Furlow
COO
I grew up outside of London, England, playing football (that’s soccer to you) and every other sport under the sun. In fact, it’s because of soccer that I met Jordan more than 15 years ago. But, more on that later.
I was passionate about being active then, and that remains a part of me today. After graduation, I was hired on at PriceWaterhouseCoopers in London, but ended up leaving that job to travel the world with a buddy. I met my future wife in the Midwestern U.S. and that’s where we settled. Prior to founding Green District, I was a successful franchisee for one of the most established and strongest performing fitness franchises in the world.
Jordan and I founded Green District because we identified a need for healthy quick service restaurants in our hometown and GD was envisioned to fill that gap. After our initial success, we knew this concept would be a good fit in many other markets and we set out on a mission to make the world a healthier place, one salad at a time.
The most important role I play is within my family unit. Carving out time for my wife and kids, coaching little league teams, taking memorable vacations and going on as many adventures as we can fit in.
Lance Little
Midwest Market President
I joined Green District in 2020 and serve as the Midwest Market President, focusing on locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee. It’s my job to scout and secure locations for further development, manage P&L statements for the stores I oversee, and manage sales and marketing efforts for all GD locations. I joined GD after a decade of working as a sales manager in the insurance field. Prior to that, I spent 20 years as a partner in business with five units focusing on fresh, prepared foods. I have a Business Management degree from the University of Cincinnati.
My favorite GD salad is the Forbidden Fruit. The blueberry vinaigrette is the best.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful family, including my wife, Magen, our three kids Rebecca, Alex and Abby, my three grandchildren, Riley, Marshall and AJ, and our biggest (110-pound!) baby Sir Winston Churchill, the American Bulldog who slid right in to our family dynamic perfectly. I’m also a dedicated fast-pitch softball dad – which requires a lot of traveling – so all other hobbies are optional in this busy season of life.
I’m an active member of Northeast Christian Church and sit on the board of Wellspring. My wife is a board member of Grace Kids, so we do a great deal of outside volunteer work with public schools and food pantries to fulfill our personal mission of making sure that no child goes unfed.
Tim Spong
Western Market President
I’m so excited to be with Green District. I was hired and immediately hit the ground running. As Western Market President, I’m busy scouting locations in various markets in the western United States and getting our operations in order.
I have a strong background in QSR. I spent 12 years with Chipotle Mexican Grill in various executive capacities, including serving as executive director of supply chain and executive director of operations services. Before joining the GD team, I served as CEO of a start-up company.
My favorite GD salad is the Thai One On. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, skiing, running, biking, cooking, tennis and golf. I’m also a history buff and currently reading in reverse order the biographies of all U.S. presidents (I’m on Millard Fillmore currently). I also volunteer with my local church.
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a law degree from University of Virginia.
Rob Rice
Vice President of Operations & Food Innovation
I had been looking for a home like Green District. It just a good fit. I’m a chef, restaurant operator, certified running coach and yoga instructor. At GD I maximize all efforts toward outstanding customer service and food quality, plus manage the supply chain, new store critical path, food research & development and team development. The only “secret” to this business is hard work.
My favorite GD salad varies. I love trying the combinations our teams put together for me to taste…that’s always a fun adventure!
My personal life revolves around my lovely wife, incredible daughter, two precious black labs and a very bossy kunekune pig. I can’t live without running, meditating, lectures, reading and offering a helping hand when I can.
Jonathan Clark
Director of special projects
After extensive work in corporate leadership of operations, I am working on special projects for Green District, including our mobile salad units, pop up “Green Houses” , special events, and community relationships. My favorite GD salad is The 502. It hits all the right flavor and texture notes for me. But, I also like to build my own salad – especially if I’m looking for the perfect combination of the healthiest ingredients we serve.
Prior to working at Green District, I attended UofL for an education degree and worked at the Kentucky School for the Blind for nine years in the classroom and residential program.
My wife, Emily, and I enjoy our three fur babies, a pair of 70-pound Boxers (Neila and Kayla) and a 12-pound chihuahua mix named Steve… He’s the boss. I also have a 24-year-old son Cain who did great work for Green District and is now focusing on growing his professional skill set.
As far as hobbies go, I love to ride my bike, kayak, and play disc golf with my crew.
I volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities and the St. Joe’s Orphanage Annual Picnic. I call it “Potato Apocalypse” because we spend 14 hours washing, chopping, and roasting more than 2,000 pounds of potatoes for the charity dinner. We feed several thousand people for a 3-day period all for the kids.
Sarah Furlow
Director of Marketing & PR
I’ve worked in public relations for 15 years, mostly in the fast-paced ad agency scene. At Green District, I lead our public relations initiatives and also run our social media channels. My focus is building awareness of the brand through consumers, as well as local, national and trade media.
My favorite GD order is Livin’ on the Veg.
Outside of GD, I’m kept very busy with our three kids under 8 years old and two adorable (and much less work) dogs Ellie and Cash. My obsession with The Beatles is well documented. Sure, I graduated with a communications degree and have worked hard to build a name for myself, but did you know Paul McCartney once hugged me on stage?
Chuck Slaughter
Director of Technology
I joined Green District as the Technology Director in December 2020. Prior to GD, I worked at a Louisville-based coffee chain for 15 years, working my way up to the Director of Marketing & Technology role. I’m also on the board of the Louisville Independent Business Alliance, where I’m chair of the Educating Consumers committee, and I’ve been a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana for four years.
A lifelong resident of the Louisville area, I studied information systems and project management in college, and enjoy hiking various trails, photography, drinking too much cold brew, true-crime podcasts, perfecting the best vegan build-your-own salad recipe, and hanging out with my dog Benji and cat Gandalf.
Autumn Laird
Market Development Coordinator
I was hired at Green District to assist with recruitment and marketing. Over the course of my first year with GD, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about restaurant operations, assisting in building employee training and development programs, store openings, and much more. My current role allows me to be active in the community in multiple ways. We are building programs to support our employees, driving sales and marketing initiatives, and creating lasting partnerships with our communities. By nature, I am also involved in all-level recruiting because GD is my favorite thing to talk about – it’s not really a hard sell!
My favorite GD salad is the Forbidden Fruit or Thai One On, but this changes daily.
I graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2015 with a degree in PR and Marketing. In 2018 I moved to Louisville on a whim while my family is in Western Kentucky. Prior to joining the GD team, I worked in sales and staffing. Everything I do is with great passion. I’m out here hustling every day for my boys at home. And by boys, I mean my cats Kevin and Richard.
My hobbies include golf, Cubs baseball (you can catch me at Wrigley Field for the home opener every season with my Dad), collecting records and exploring breweries. I’m an Alpha Delt Pi – Delta Nu alumni and have served as a chapter advisor since graduation. I also volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Shelby Notess
Regional Greens & Operations Manager
My name is Shelby Notess and I am a Regional Greens & Operations Manager for Green District. I’m originally from Murray, Kentucky, and moved to Louisville 11 years ago to pursue a degree in Baking & Pastry Arts at Sullivan University.
Prior to my role at GD, I was a Pastry Chef and Kitchen Manager in Louisville. Green District allows me to combine my passion for people and food by providing my community with healthier options.
My favorite GD salad is the Thai One On!
I’m happily married and my husband Ben is also a chef! We have two dogs (Sprankles the Dachshund and Crooked the Australian Shepard Mix) and a cat named Harry.
My hobbies include practicing hand lettering, painting and singing karaoke.
Amanda Driskell
Executive Associate
I come to the Green District team from Belle Noble Entertainment Group, where I worked my way up from a Hostess at The Village Anchor Pub & Roost to an Account Clerk position in the Belle Noble corporate office. I am now the Executive Associate for Green District, making sure the Corporate Team is staying organized and communicative. My favorite GD salad is The 502, but the Spinach Inquisition is a close second. I am the proud mommy to an independent and spirited little girl named Juniper, as well as a handful of fur babies: Eleanor (cat), Murphy (cat), Bryant (dog), and Mouse (guinea pig). I share my home with my best friend, sister, and greatest Aunt to Juni, Nikki. In my kid-free time, I enjoy watching true crime documentaries, indulging in skincare/makeup, and exploring/photographing abandoned places. My other free hours are spent volunteering in Louisville’s recovery community – an activity that is near and dear to my heart, as I have been sober/in recover for 9 years and counting.
Dan Nausa
Design Coordinator
I joined Green District at the end of 2021 as a design coordinator, my job can vary from building a social media post to screen-printing on some GD merch.
From the very first moment I stepped into the GD world, I felt welcomed and ready to work.
I was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved to Costa Rica in 2003, and later the United States in 2004, and most recently to Louisville in July of 2021. Through all these life changes, one thing that remained constant was my passion for creating and art. So, fast forward some time and I became a first-generation college graduate earning a double Bachelor’s in Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design and Printmaking from Western Kentucky University.
In my personal life I am a lover of logos, fonts, and gridlines. As well as experimenting with new mediums of art and bullying my cat. I am a master of none and dabble in more hobbies than I can keep up with, including – photography, film, fashion, biking, record collecting, antiquing, novelty collecting, and hoarding all these things, forever. My favorite GD order is Livin’ on the Veg Grain Bowl.
brent engel
director of training & customer engagement
I was very excited to join the Green District team. Before joining, my daughter and I enjoyed a salad lunch at the local Green District, and I thought, “Wow, this is what every salad should be!”
I have been in the restaurant industry for over 25 years. I started in operations and soon moved to training and development because of my background and desire to create training to help restaurant operators succeed. I firmly believe knowledge is power and needs to be shared as plainly as possible.
My favorite Green District salad is the Thai One On.
At home, I enjoy time with my family, visiting cool sites (like Sloss Furnace, local run/bike trails, etc.), and doing little projects around the house. My wife and I have three daughters (one still at home) and a rescue dog (also still at home). I am a bit of a geek, have a lifelong passion for learning, and am fascinated with the markets. I believe in sharing blessings and do so when I can through my time and talents.
Kathy Ryback
Financial Controller
Green District offers me the opportunity to grow with an exciting restaurant concept and I am so happy to be here! I came to Green District from Sterling Restaurants, LLC, the largest Moe’s Southwest Grill franchisee, where I was the CFO. I bring with me 30 years of restaurant and retail accounting/finance experience. At Green District I am responsible for all of the financial reporting and accounting systems. I have a BBA from Loyola College and an MBA from Villanova University. My favorite Green District salad is the What About Cobb – and the other salads with bacon in them! In my spare time I pursue my love of travel, being outdoors, and reading when I am indoors. I am currently working my way through the US National Parks but have been to many destinations outside of the US as well. I love to experience other cultures. I have a son and daughter that are all grown up, but I get them to join me on my adventures when they can as they inherited my love for travel! I have been a mentor in a local mentoring program for 10 years and I volunteer at The Fox Theater in Atlanta (where I get to indulge my love of musicals).
Mitch Huff
Corporate Director of operations
I joined the Green District team in December of 2021 and couldn’t be more excited! Previously I was with US Foods for 13 years in different capacities, including Territory Manager, District Sales Manager and New Business Manager. I have more than 20 years of culinary & operational experience having the privilege to have worked in some of the best restaurants and hotels including The Mansion on Turtle Creek and Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. I actually got to cook with Jacques Pepin and Julia Childs!
This experience has equipped me with a skillset to support the GD growth vision, focusing on operational efficiency, food safety and supply chain management. I’ve been fortunate enough to be around some incredibly talented people and I’m most excited about working with the current team at Green District. My favorite GD salad is The GD Special because I love Southwest flavors and this one is muy bien! I have an incredible wife, Ashley, and two boys, Zach and Landon. We love to cook, hike, camp and listen to music. I’m also an avid golfer, huge Mizzou fan and aspiring handyman.
Ken Stewart
Area Manager - Colorado Springs
I am excited to join Green District. I look forward to experiencing what this group of leaders is capable of. I bring 30 years of food service experience to the group. Mostly leading team members of restaurant operations. I have enjoyed leading teams as a hotel banquet chef, restaurant chef, and restaurant general manager. I have worked with great people at Tomfooleries, Applebee’s, Golden Corral, Amanda’s Fonda, and Chili’s. My favorite salad varies from day to day, and I enjoy combining all the different combinations of ingredients.
I am blessed to live in Colorado and experience this beautiful state with my lovely wife, Leslie and son’s Tyler (15) and Mason (11). We get to experience all that Colorado has to offer on our frequent hiking and camping excursions. I enjoy working out, travelling, hiking, camping, skiing, cooking, reading, (nonfiction history and biographies) and beaches. Leslie is a massage therapist and is currently attending nursing school. She enjoys spending time with friends and neighbors and playing pickle ball. Tyler and Mason are very good students who love to read, play soccer, run, ski, play baseball, swim, and bike.
We work and play hard and enjoy making people happy. We also donate our time to our church and schools.
Tom Eckhardt
Area Manager - Denver
I recently joined the Green District team to help open, operate, and oversee the locations in Colorado while working with Tim to assist in the entire Western market. As a Chicago native, the restaurant bug caught me early in life when I was 15 and started in a local pizza place and began opening by myself within a month of starting. I received my bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Western Illinois University. My professional career began in the hotel industry with Marriott and then transitioned to restaurants and grew rapidly into multi-unit management as well as a Director of Operations for a number of companies as well as owning a franchise of a national hospitality recruiting company. I have a passion for developing my team and building people up to achieve their dreams.
My favorite GD salad is the What About Cobb as well as the create your own adding on lots of veggies and trying a little bit of everything.
Life outside of work is centered around my wonderful wife and best friend, Kama. You can find us out hiking all sorts of trails and 14er’s, tent camping in the national forests, biking, enjoying the hot springs, visiting our favorite gluten free brewery in Golden, and enjoying every adventure we can find outdoors. All this while venturing back to Illinois to spend time with family – our 5 children and 3 grandchildren. I also love cooking and you can find me grilling almost anytime throughout the year.