BY INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY – Antioxidant-rich acai berries star at this trendy franchise’s only location outside of California. Take a bowl of berries mixed with coconut or soy milk and add fruit and energy-boosters such as flax and bee pollen. The result lands somewhere between alt-froyo and the healthiest lunch you’ll eat all week. read more
BY DIABLO MAGAZINE – Vitality Bowls’ cofounder Tara Gilad will tell you “there is nothing on this planet” as powerful or nutritious as the açai berry from the Amazon. While opinions vary, it’s clear that açai (ah-sigh-EE) is powering Vitality Bowls’ remarkable success, with berry bowls accounting for 85 percent of sales. read more
When we spoke with her, Tara and her husband, Roy, who live in San Ramon, owned three stores (San Ramon, Pleasanton, and Walnut Creek). Their first franchised spot had opened in Indiana, and by April, there should be seven stores. By the end of the year, they plan to open 32 Vitality Bowls locations: one in Texas, two in Indiana, two in Orange County, and the rest in the Bay Area.
“Healthy food is the future,” says Tara. “It really is.”
Creating a standard small-size bowl takes 150 dark purple açai berries, which are pureed to order with frozen fruits and vegetables into a thick smoothie-like base. The menu’s dozen-plus variations are topped with fresh fruit, honey, and organic granola, plus extras ranging from almonds and shaved coconut to superfoods such as goji berries and bee pollen.
Tara’s favorite is the naturally sweet warrior bowl.
“That one has broccoli in it, and the açai berry itself is bitter and chalky. So we use blueberries and raspberries to mask it.”
While the original menu was carefully crafted with endless taste tests, designing the restaurant—which has since been upgraded—was improvised. “I bought our first tables and chairs from Costco. I bought the cheapest tile I could find at Home Depot,” Tara admits.
There’s a formula now for their franchisees, of course, but Tara encourages owner-operators to buy local and personalize their design. Still, Tara says she and Roy (and a quickly growing corporate team) are “involved every second getting them up and running.”
Thankfully, Tara, who has two young kids, still has time for an occasional warrior bowl—with its flaxseed and multivitamin boost. vitalitybowls.com.
BY INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY – Those of you who brave this winter tundra to run on the Monon will soon have a new trailside spot for a healthy post-workout meal. Vitality Bowls will open in the Carmel Arts & Design District on February 7. This will be the first Vitality Bowls location outside of California. read more
BY EAST BAY TIMES – Vitality Bowls, which bills itself as a purveyor of seasonally-driven Acai-berry bowls, smoothies, fresh juices, soups, salads and panini, is set to open soon at 3454 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite A1, in one of the retail spaces at the Merrill Gardens assisted living complex. read more
Vitality Bowls, already has shops in Pleasanton (Stoneridge Mall), San Ramon and Walnut Creek, and plans to open a number of other locations in the Bay Area, as well as two in Indiana.
BY THE INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL Vitality Bowls is set to open Feb. 7 at 110 W. Main St., Suite 115, in the Carmel Arts & Design District, where the Huddles frozen yogurt shop was formerly located.
The upstart California-based chain offers low-fat meals and smoothies incorporating antioxidant-rich Acai berries, as well as a selection of fresh juices, soups, salads and Paninis.
The Carmel eatery is to be the first Vitality Bowls location in Indiana. It is operated by Eric and Sherrie Moore, and co-owners Dave and Irene Tang. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. read more
BY BEYOND THE CREEK – Vitality Bowls which features açai bowls and opened last year in downtown Walnut Creek is opening a new location in downtown Pleasant Hill on Crescent Drive and is planning on an early February opening. Check out their açai bowl menu here. They also offer smoothies, panini sandwiches, salads, parfaits, soups and more. Read More
From their Facebook page:
‘Twas the month before opening
And all about town,
The buzz was a startin’:
“Vitality Bowls is opening downtown!!!”
So, we hung our Now Hiring posters
In our windows with care,
With hopes that great team members
Would soon apply there…We are not only excited to begin building delicious and nutritious açai bowls for Pleasant Hill, but are also very excited to begin building an exceptional staff of knowledgeable and diligent team players! If you, or someone you know wants to join our team, please email your resume to pleasanthill@vitalitybowls.com!
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