GREENS, GRIT & GROWTH

Meet the woman powering Crisp & Green.

From the corporate kitchens of Kraft and PepsiCo to franchising a health-focused, female-owned  and  operated  restaurant chain, Gina Koertner’s journey proves food has always been more than a career—it’s been a source of energy, balance, and drive.

The mom of two daughters lives by way of a healthy lifestyle. “I like to move my body and refuel with clean meals,” says Koertner, an avid triathlete who’s competed in seven Ironmans. With a long-standing passion for cooking and baking, Koertner appreciates the art of scratch cooking, having made every meal using her homegrown vegetables.

However,  when  her girls hit middle school and started competing in travel basketball, it became a nearly impossible task.

“Between  driving  to multiple practices each night, I found myself in a drive-thru several times a week,” she says. “I was so disappointed there  weren’t  better restaurants to quickly and healthily feed my family.”

So, when she decided to return to the workforce,  the  opportunity to open a Crisp &  Green  franchise came at just the right moment. “I knew the concept was a natural fit for so many Illinois families,” she says.

Crisp & Green creates healthy recipes crafted by passionate culinary experts. Offering salads, grain bowls, and wraps, every item on the menu is made in-house with no preservatives. The brand is deeply committed to quality, allergen control, and cleanliness—values that align perfectly with Koertner’s lifestyle.

“The brand’s mission is to ‘craft every menu item daily to be full of flavors that are balanced, wholesome, and unique, keeping your palate satisfied and your body nourished,’” she says. “We make this commitment even easier since you can grab it and go!”

The menu changes seasonally. “Each spring and fall, we put a few salads, bowls, and wraps on the shelf and bring back fan favorites and a few new items,” she says. “It’s a great incentive to keep customers craving our menu items and coming back for something new.”

For the spring and summer, Koertner suggests trying the vibrant and citrusy C’est La Ceviche that pairs pesto shrimp with bright vegetables for a light and easy lunch. For the cooler months, she suggests trying something heartier, like the grain bowls featuring warm whole grains and chicken. Customers can also customize any item to meet their dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and paleo options.

“I always suggest adding an Aqua Fresca to the meal,” she says. “We strain fresh fruits and their juice to water with a light touch of agave syrup for a very refreshing and healthy drink.”

Set to open a second location in Schaumburg in early 2026, Koertner hopes to make Crisp & Green a part of her customers’ everyday routines, whether it’s a post- workout smoothie, a quick lunch between meetings, or a nourishing dinner on the go. “We can even cater your largest events or provide your family dinner on a busy night,” she says. “Instead of you being in the kitchen, it’s us!” she says.

Crisp & Green is located at 899 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills, crispandgreen.com, @crispandgreen.