It's out with the slushies and in with the salads at Target

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ALLY MAROTTI CRAIN'S DINING

Photo by Yelp Inc./Flickr.com

Fresh food will be on offer in nine Target store cafes around the country, and the change is starting in Chicago.

The Minneapolis-based retail giant is testing a new cafe concept in 14 stores nationwide. In nine of those stores, the cafes that offer ballpark food such as nachos, hot dogs and slushies will be replaced with health-food chain Freshii. Eight of those nine Freshii locations are set to open in Chicago-area Targets starting next month.

Forty percent of Target customers use the cafes, which are the first thing they see after walking into the store, a Target spokeswoman said in an email. The company hopes to reshape its customers' first impression and push healthier options.

The first two Target Freshii locations—in South Loop and Arlington Heights stores—are set to open Oct. 12. The next six Chicago-area locations—in Target stores in Hodgkins, Highland Park, Willowbrook, Lombard, Glenview and Near North Side—are expected to open throughout late October and November.

The ninth in-Target Freshii will be in one of the Minneapolis stores.

“It was natural to test it in Chicago, where we have a strong base,” said Freshii CEO Matthew Corrin.

Toronto-based Freshii has been growing fast, as diners increasingly seek healthier quick options. There are 20 locations in Chicago, where the company has its U.S. headquarters. By the end of 2015, Freshii will be in more than 80 cities in 15 countries, with two restaurants opening every week.

The Target Freshiis will be serving full menus, Corrin said. Target also plans to sell some of Freshii's snack options in bulk in the aisles.

Target also is partnering with Minneapolis-based Italian cafe D'Amico & Sons, which will replace cafes in two Minneapolis-area stores. It also plans to introduce revamped Pizza Huts into three Target locations in New York, New Jersey and Iowa.

Neither Corrin nor the Target spokeswoman would comment on plans for the rest of the more than 1,700 Target Cafes. Corrin said Freshii, however, is in it for the long run.

“This was about what does Target Cafe want to be when it grows up?” he said. “The answer was, Target Cafe should be Freshii.”