We built our Breadless concept from the ground up in Detroit, guided by a mission to bring fresh, healthy and accessible food to our city and beyond. While we are not currently a franchise, we are actively exploring opportunities for expansion in a way that stays true to our values. Our goal is to take a big idea and keep it grounded in a community-oriented approach, ensuring that as we grow, we continue to innovate, stay authentic and personally connect to our customers.
Breadless was founded by Marc Howland, La Tresha (LC) Howland, and Ryan Eli Slater to redefine fast, nutritious meals. Marc, a former Ivy League athlete and finance professional, struggled to find convenient, nourishing food that provided sustained energy. LC and Ryan, with strong business and marketing backgrounds, shared his vision. Inspired by Marc’s need for fueling meals during his athletic career at Brown University and later as a finance professional, working long hours in a fast paced environment, they saw a need for healthy satisfying food on the go, and that sparked the journey of Breadless—replacing bread with leafy greens to offer flavorful, nutrient-rich options. Their mission: to ensure no one has to choose between great taste and great fuel.
At Breadless we believe food is fuel. The philosophy is woven into every aspect of our menu, operations, and customer experience. We cook exclusively with 100% pure and sustainably sourced avocado oil. From our signature sandwiches wrapped in nutrient packed greens to our protein rich power bowls and fresh salads, we create meals that energize and sustain.
We designed our menu to be bold and flavorful in a way that caters to a wide range of dietary needs. Whether someone is gluten-free, Paleo, vegetarian, or simply looking for a nutritious meal, Breadless offers options that fit their lifestyle. Our commitment to inclusivity means providing meals that are both accommodating and crave worthy. Our signature leafy greens – Swiss chard, collards, and romaine – are carefully selected for their taste texture and nutritional benefits. We source the freshest greens, wash them thoroughly, and prepare them in a way that enhances their natural flavors while maintaining their crispness to ensure that every sandwich is not just healthy, but it’s also a delight to eat.
The Rochester Hills community has embraced Breadless with enthusiasm. Customers appreciate having a convenient, nutritious dining option that aligns with their health conscious lifestyles. One customer recently shared, “Breadless provides food that will change your life!”
We have built strong ties in Rochester Hills, where we’ve hosted fundraisers and drives for Rochester community schools, local sports teams, and the neighborhood house. Our dedication to education extends beyond food – we’ve taught more than a dozen classes on marketing, business, accounting, and entrepreneurship at Rochester, Adams, Stoney Creek and Oakland University. We also support local athletics, sponsoring teams like Rochester and Adams varsity dance team, Adams men’s lacrosse, Oakland Men’s Club Football, and the Rochester School Of Dance.
Being named one of FastCasual’s Top 20 Fast Casual Brands to Watch is an incredible honor and validation of our mission. It highlights the growing demand for nutritious, fast–casual dining, and reinforces our commitment to changing the way people think about food. This recognition fuels our passion to continue innovating and expanding.
As Breadless grows, staying connected to our Detroit roots remains a top priority. We actively support local events, collaborate with community organizations, and participate in initiatives that promote wellness and nutrition. Our partnership with the Detroit Tigers and our presence at Little Caesars Arena allows us to bring healthy eating to a larger audience while reinforcing our commitment to the local community.
Beyond our restaurant locations, we’re also expanding our catering services – delivering bold, fresh meals, that fuel productivity, and leave teams feeling great. Breadless catering is perfect for corporate events, lunch and learns, team gatherings, birthdays, and celebrations of all sizes.
The future of Breadless is bright! We’re expanding our reach, bringing our nutrient-rich meals, to more communities, and redefining what fast-casual, health-conscious dining can be. With a new locations on the horizon, innovative, menu, offerings, and development, and exciting partnerships, underway, this is just the beginning. No matter how much we grow, our mission remains the same: to empower people with food that fuels their potential.
SWEET POTATO GRILLED CHEESE (serves 4)
Ingredients:
Sweet Potato Prep
• 2 lbs sweet potatoes (washed, peeled, and sliced manually)
• 3 oz blended oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 oz minced garlic
Grilled Cheese Ingredients:
• 8 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp butter or Avocado oil (for grilling)
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for a hint of sweetness)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions:
Roasting Sweet Potatoes
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Manually Slice the Sweet Potatoes lengthwise into ¼-inch set aside
• In a large mixing bowl, combine avocado oil, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic.
• Toss the sweet potato slices in the oil mixture until evenly coated.
• Line a full sheet pan with aluminum foil and place a wire rack over the foil.
• Using tongs, lay the sweet potato slices on the rack in a single layer (slices can touch but should not overlap).
• Roast for 10-12 minutes, until the slices are tender enough to be pierced with a knife and have slightly crispy, browned edges.
• Let the slices cool slightly before assembling the sandwiches.
Assemble the Sandwiches
• Take two similarly sized sweet potato slices and place them on a clean surface.
• Layer shredded sharp white cheddar on one slice.
• (Optional) Sprinkle with smoked paprika and crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
• (Optional) Drizzle a small amount of honey or maple syrup over the cheese for a sweet-savory
balance.
• Top with another sweet potato slice to create a sandwich.
Cook on a Stovetop Skillet
• Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
• Add butter or a small amount of oil to the pan.
• Place the assembled sweet potato sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
• If needed, reduce heat slightly to prevent burning while ensuring the cheese melts fully.
Serve & Enjoy
• Serve with spicy aioli, chipotle mayo, or a fresh green salad.
Customization Options:
• Add caramelized onions for extra depth.
• Include crispy bacon or prosciutto for a salty contrast.
• Swap the cheese – smoked Gouda or fontina would also melt beautifully.