Chopped Leaf: Fresh, healthy dining at the Lakewood Covenant Community Health Centre
Chopped Leaf franchise owner Pathik Desai is excited about providing healthy food options at the Lakewood Covenant Community Health Centre.
Located within the innovative Lakewood Covenant Community Health Centre, Chopped Leaf brings its commitment to fresh, healthy dining to one of Edmonton's most comprehensive healthcare facilities. Currently the only food franchise within the centre, it represents a perfect alignment of healthy eating and health care, serving patients, families, staff and the broader Mill Woods community.
A passion for healthy food and loyal customers
Pathik Desai, who owns five Chopped Leaf locations across Edmonton, brings extensive experience and genuine enthusiasm to this unique healthcare setting. Having worked as a manager at Chopped Leaf for three years before becoming a franchisee in 2023, Pathik understands both the operational excellence and customer loyalty that define the brand.
"The customer base we have is very loyal and often health conscious," says Pathik. "When I was working as a manager at the restaurant, I was always hearing great feedback from customers and noticed that most people were interested in the healthy food options."
This focus on health-conscious dining made the Lakewood Covenant Community Health Centre location an obvious fit for the franchise. Pathik's portfolio includes locations in west Edmonton, Stony Plain, St. Albert and Yellowhead Trail, but the healthcare setting offers something unique.
Strategic location benefits
The Lakewood Covenant Community Health Centre location offers unique advantages for both Chopped Leaf and its customers. Pathik was immediately interested when the franchise reached out about the opportunity in 2024.
"I said, ’OK, right now I'm busy. Just give me a little time to research this.’ And then about 24 hours later, I let them know I was very interested," says Pathik. "It seemed like a fantastic opportunity to me."
Some of the location’s benefits that stood out to Pathik are:
Integrated healthcare setting: Patients and families can enjoy healthy meals without leaving the facility.
High visibility: The community health centre is located on a main road with excellent signage and accessibility.
Captive audience: The health centre serves patients who may travel a significant distance for appointments and spend long periods of time at the centre for multiple appointments.
Health-focused clientele: There is natural alignment with customers seeking nutritious options.
Serving the healthcare community
The Lakewood Covenant Community Health Centre represents a new model of healthcare delivery, bringing together outpatient clinics relocated from the Grey Nuns Community Hospital, primary care services, diagnostic imaging and retail partners under one roof. Chopped Leaf's presence supports this integrated approach by ensuring nutritious dining options are available to everyone using the facility.
"Some patients are coming from outside this neighbourhood, maybe having to drive or take transit for quite a while to get here," says Pathik. "They don't have to worry about access to healthy food options. I think we’re a great fit to support the clients and staff here.”
The location serves multiple groups:
patients visiting the centre's numerous outpatient clinics
family members accompanying patients to appointments
healthcare staff working in the building
visitors to other retail tenants like Amplify Hearing, Aria MD Sleep Centre and various dental and vision clinics
Minimum waste, maximum freshness
What sets Chopped Leaf apart in the competitive healthy dining market is its commitment to freshness and sustainability.
"We always have fresh food, fresh prep — very little food waste in this business," says Pathik. "Our goal is to minimize food waste as much as possible. Everything is made fresh, and that's the main reason we have such large customer support."
This daily commitment to fresh preparation ensures that every salad, wrap and bowl meets the high standards that health-conscious customers expect while also supporting environmental sustainability.
The Lakewood Covenant Community Health Centre serves as the anchor for the broader Lakewood Covenant Wellness Community development. As part of this innovative healthcare model, Chopped Leaf will contribute to the centre's mission of providing integrated, accessible care that empowers people in southeast Edmonton to live and age well in their community.
Chopped Leaf at the Lakewood Covenant Community Health Centre represents more than just convenient dining. It's an integral part of a healthcare revolution that recognizes nutrition as fundamental to wellness, bringing fresh, healthy options directly to where people seek care and healing.