FARGO — Mahana Fresh, a fast-service healthy choices restaurant in southwest Fargo, has closed.

The eatery at 3985 56th St. S. in the Veterans Square plaza was locked Monday, Nov. 25, and no one appeared to be in the restaurant over the noon hour.

The Forum has reached out to the local franchisee for comment.

The closure was announced in a message Sunday evening on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“After much reflection, we’ve made the difficult decision to close Mahana Fresh Fargo. This journey has been filled with incredible memories, lessons and the opportunity to serve this amazing community. As of yesterday (Saturday, Nov. 23), our doors are closed for service,” the post said.

“We are beyond grateful for your support, smiles and loyalty – it has meant the world to us. While this chapter is coming to an end, we’re looking forward to the future and are excited to stay connected with you all,” the post said. “Thank you for everything.”

Mahana Fresh held its grand opening in early March 2022.

Cooper Wahlo, a former North Dakota State University football wide receiver, is the franchisee who brought the restaurant concept to Fargo.

In a September 2021 interview, Wahlo said he had always wanted to enter the business world after hanging up his cleats.

“I knew I wanted to do something on a bigger scale, I just didn’t know what,” Wahlo said. “Being a business owner was part of the plan, just not as quickly as I thought.”

The restaurant uses a counter-serve bowl concept, with customers selecting from various bases, vegetables, proteins, toppings and sauces.

Beyond the Fargo location, nine other locations were listed on the Mahana Fresh website Monday.

“I heard one of the franchisees on a podcast and I looked into the concept a little bit,” Wahlo told The Forum in 2021. “I’m a health guy, I love to work out and I was looking to do something a little bit on a bigger scale for myself. I thought that this was something that fit me and my brand.”

The restaurant operated just east of West Fargo Sheyenne High School in the mall along busy Veterans Boulevard, an area that has seen rapid growth in the last few years.