THE JEWISH NEWS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA By: Alix Wall The fact that a lemon tahini vinaigrette is the standard dressing on the new salad offerings at Vitality Bowls is a subtle hint as to the origin of its cofounder, Israeli American Roy Gilad. “We both love the Mediterranean diet, and that’s what we both gravitate toward, so when creating these recipes, there was no doubt about it,” said Gilad’s wife, Tara. “We sometimes eat Vitality Bowls seven days a week, and wanted to create something we want to eat every day.” Now a successful franchise, Vitality Bowls was founded by the entrepreneurial couple in 2011. Both were raised in the Bay Area, though Roy’s family came to the East Bay from Israel when he was 8. Originally from Jerusalem, his parents visited the U.S. when Roy was a baby, and his father fell in love with the idea of the American dream. He moved the family to give them all more opportunities than could be found in Israel, said his son. “He was definitely a capitalist, and both my parents were entrepreneurs,” Roy said. “Being an entrepreneur in this country is so powerful because the barriers to entry are so low. Such a capitalistic society really promotes innovation, and that’s what brought them here.” Tara was raised in a Jewish family in Sebastopol, where they grew much of their own food. “My mom was a nutritionist, so we lived and breathed health,” she said. “There was no white flour or sugar or anything processed in our house. Everything was fresh.” Today, a power couple responsible for close to 150 cafés either open or in development in 17 states, they did not develop the Vitality Bowls concept on a lark as a money-making idea. Nor was it a longtime aspiration. It grew out of the fact that their daughter was born with severe food allergies. “I couldn’t feed her regular fruits and vegetables,” said Tara. “I was making her baby food and creating smoothies for her, creating healthy ways for her to get good nutrients.” She discovered that the baby could tolerate fruit from other countries, but she was highly allergic to the fruit grown in the U.S. “We started trying to source fruit from other countries,” and that’s when the couple stumbled onto the concept of superfoods, or foods that offer plenty of nutrients without a lot of calories. Once they decided to launch a company, they were able to use their experience procuring fruit from other countries to order larger quantities for their business from international vendors. Before they opened Vitality Bowls, Tara was making her own acai bowls for her daughter at home. The acai berry, from Latin America, was just becoming more known; today most people are familiar with its virtues and know how to pronounce it. Roy, who traveled for work at the time, liked to try superfood bowls in different countries. He was confident Tara’s could best all of them. “We metamorphosed from making baby food to acai bowls, which have been around for centuries,” she said. “We took the best-quality ingredients and created these recipes, and now there are a lot of copycats. We believe we pioneered them in the U.S.” Most of their superfood bowls contain various nuts, seeds, fruits and healthy fats like almond milk or coconut. Their green bowl features spirulina and spinach. The Gilads opened the first Vitality Bowls in San Ramon, where they lived at the time, with bowls and juices and several panini on the menu. In addition to acai, the bowls featured other tropical superfoods such as graviola (soursop) and acerola, also known as the Barbados cherry. They quickly opened their second location in Pleasanton, and then later their third in Walnut Creek. By 2014, they decided to franchise. While the initial café concept did just fine in the warmer states, they noticed a dip in sales in colder climates as they continued to expand. They also listened to feedback from their customers. “The paninis weren’t enough, they wanted something bigger,” said Tara. That’s when they introduced grain bowls, wraps and salads, using antibiotic-free, all-natural meat. Last year, Vitality Bowls was recognized as a lucrative franchise opportunity on the industry website Entrepreneur, and it has received other awards, including top honors for its acai bowls. There are local outlets in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Rosa, Mill Valley, Castro Valley and Livermore, among other locations. I went to the Walnut Creek location and picked up some salads, which were hearty and filling and contained some surprising ingredients, such as a hard-boiled egg pickled in beet juice. We also tried the superseed avocado toast on a hefty chunk of whole-grain bread. It was definitely the kind of food one could eat often, as it felt healthy and not overindulgent. With more expansion on the horizon for 2022, Tara said, “Our goal and mission has always been to bring healthy food across America in an allergy-safe manner.”
FAST CASUAL Vitality Bowls in Tualatin has a new owner, local entrepreneur Andres Radilla, and a new look to go with it. “Years ago, before starting my own cleaning business with my mom, I worked at Vitality Bowls. I really loved the environment and the fact that the food is so healthy and delicious,” Radilla said in the release. “I’ve worked in the food service industry for most of my life and wanted to continue to grow my experience, while helping a local business grow. The Vitality Bowls business model stood out to me as one I could help expand across Oregon, bringing healthier alternatives to even more communities.” Radilla, 20, also owns a local sandwich shop, has cultivated the leadership and management skills necessary to operate a successful Vitality Bowls business through his previous ventures, Tara Gilad, president and co-founder of Vitality Bowls, said in the release. “We look forward to seeing Andres grow his business in Tualatin and share the Vitality Bowls message,” she said. “Local community members will continue to benefit from the tasty, nutritious meals that they’ve come to know and love, while also supporting a small business.” Over the last decade, Northern California-based Vitality Bowls has offered made-to-order healthy favorites for every meal of the day, featuring the widest variety of unique superfoods. Guests may choose from a range of açaí bowl options, such as the Dragon Bowl (featuring pitaya, mango juice, coconut milk, bananas, pineapple and raspberries) and its signature Vitality Bowl, made with organic açaí, bananas, strawberries and organic flax seed. In addition to açaí bowls and smoothies, the brand recently launched salads, grain bowls, wraps and toasts. Options include the Vitality Wrap made with hummus, avocado, super greens, grains, roasted potato, radish, pickled red onion, lemon tahini vinaigrette, vegan garlic aioli and superseed crunch, wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla. Plus, all açaí bowls and smoothies are prepared without any ingredient fillers like ice, frozen yogurt or artificial preservatives. There are over 145 Vitality Bowls locations open or in development.
QSR MAGAZINE Vitality Bowls, a café which specializes in açaí bowls – a thick blend of the Amazon’s antioxidant-rich açaí berry, topped with a variety of superfoods – announced today the grand opening of its café in San Jose-Willow Glen that will take place on Friday, January 7. The new café will be conveniently located at 1167 Lincoln Avenue amongst the bustling restaurant scene on the main strip of the Willow Glen neighborhood. This restaurant will be the 34th Vitality Bowls café in California. In celebration of the opening, residents and guests who visit Vitality Bowls in San Jose-Willow Glen on January 7 can redeem an exclusive Buy One Get One Free deal on all açaí bowls and smoothies, valid in-store, online and through the Vitality Bowls mobile app. There will also be an exclusive Buy One Get One 50% off for any menu item also valid in-store, online and through the Vitality Bowls mobile app on January 8 and 9. Customers will be able to get the full Vitality Bowls experience while maintaining safety practices through indoor and outdoor dining, takeout, curbside pickup, third-party delivery. Additionally, customers who sign up for the Vitality Bowls Loyalty App will receive exclusive member perks and discounts. Over the last decade, Northern California-based Vitality Bowls has become a bonafide leader in the health food industry. The sophisticated, dynamic cafés play perfectly into the unique collection of superfood menu items, all containing extraordinary ingredients packed with antioxidants and high nutritional values. Vitality Bowls offers a variety of delectable options, such as the Dragon Bowl (featuring pitaya, pineapple, coconut milk, goji berries and bee pollen), Green Bowl (with graviola, strawberries, kale, dates, spirulina and hemp seeds) and their signature Vitality Bowl (with organic açaí, strawberries, banana, organic granola and honey). In addition to açaí bowls and smoothies, the brand boasts a diverse menu that includes warm and savory items including salads, grain bowls, wraps and toasts loaded with nutritional ingredients and a wide range of superfood toppings. Options include the Vitality Wrap made with hummus, avocado, super greens, grains, roasted potato, radish, pickled red onion, lemon tahini vinaigrette, vegan garlic aioli and superseed crunch, wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla.
Customers can also enjoy signature Vitality Bowls cold pressed juices, and energy and immunity-boosting shots, made with ginger, turmeric and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Plus, all açaí bowls and smoothies are prepared without any ingredient fillers like ice, frozen yogurt, or artificial preservatives, giving the purest taste possible. “Every Vitality Bowls serves as a place where anyone can come in and enjoy a nutritious meal in a vibrant café setting,” says Tara Gilad, founder and owner of Vitality Bowls. “We look forward to sharing the Vitality Bowls message with the San Jose-Willow Glen community.” There are currently more than 145 Vitality Bowls locations open or in development across the United States.
QSR MAGAZINE Vitality Bowls in Tualatin, Oregon, announced today that the superfood café is under new ownership. Local entrepreneur, Andres Radilla, has been named as the café’s new owner and operator. “Years ago, before starting my own cleaning business with my mom, I worked at Vitality Bowls. I really loved the environment and the fact that the food is so healthy and delicious,” says Radilla, who also owns and operates a local sandwich shop. “I’ve worked in the food service industry for most of my life and wanted to continue to grow my experience, while helping a local business grow. The Vitality Bowls business model stood out to me as one I could help expand across Oregon, bringing healthier alternatives to even more communities.” Radilla, already an experienced entrepreneur at 20-years-old, cultivated the leadership and management skills necessary to operate a successful Vitality Bowls business through his previous ventures. Vitality Bowls is conveniently located at 7935 SW Nyberg St, where customers can get the full superfood experience while maintaining safety practices through in-store dining, takeout, curbside pickup and third-party delivery. “We look forward to seeing Andres grow his business in Tualatin and share the Vitality Bowls message,” adds Tara Gilad, president and co-founder of Vitality Bowls. “Local community members will continue to benefit from the tasty, nutritious meals that they’ve come to know and love, while also supporting a small business.” Over the last decade, Northern California-based Vitality Bowls has become a bonafide leader in the health food industry. The sophisticated, dynamic cafés play perfectly into the unique collection of superfood menu items, all containing extraordinary ingredients packed with antioxidants and high nutritional values.
Since the brand’s inception, Vitality Bowls has offered made-to-order healthy favorites for every meal of the day, featuring the widest variety of unique superfoods. Guests can choose from a range of delectable açaí bowl options, such as the Dragon Bowl (featuring pitaya, mango juice, coconut milk, bananas, pineapple and raspberries) and their signature Vitality Bowl (with organic açaí, bananas strawberries and organic flax seed). In addition to açaí bowls and smoothies, the brand recently launched a diverse menu that includes savory items including salads, grain bowls, wraps and toasts loaded with nutritional ingredients and a wide range of superfood toppings. Options include the Vitality Wrap made with hummus, avocado, super greens, grains, roasted potato, radish, pickled red onion, lemon tahini vinaigrette, vegan garlic aioli and superseed crunch, wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla. Plus, all açaí bowls and smoothies are prepared without any ingredient fillers like ice, frozen yogurt, or artificial preservatives, giving the purest taste possible. There are currently more than 145 Vitality Bowls locations open or in development across the United States.
A superfoods cleanse after all the Thanksgiving indulgence! @vitalitybowls is known for their açaí bowls and now they added a menu of savory items like grain bowls, salads, wraps and toasts. I recommend the chicken pesto grain bowl and superseed toast. Next time, I’d like to try the chimichurri steak bowl. It’s so popular, they ran out. Of course, their açaí bowls are a must! The savory menu is available at selected locations, including the Mountain View location (@mountainviewbowls). https://www.instagram.com/p/CW2L_AxrAFe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
FORT WORTH MAGAZINE A self-dubbed “superfood café” is making its Fort Worth debut, thanks to a former NFL player who goes by the nickname, “Snacks.” Former NFL defensive lineman, Damon “Snacks” Harrison — whose nine-year career includes stints with the New York Jets, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions — has signed an agreement open Fort Worth’s first Vitality Bowls in mid-2022 (exact location to be determined). The shop specializes in smoothies and smoothie bowls, salads, grain bowls, wraps, and toasts — all featuring healthy ingredients like organic açaí, greens, grains, and more. “I’m very particular about what I attach my name to, especially when it comes to food. If it’s not something I’d eat or let my kids eat, there’s no chance I’d be associated with it,” Harrison said in a statement. “Vitality Bowls, with their commitment to providing healthy eating options that are also delicious, checks all the boxes for a restaurant brand that I want to be a part of. I can’t wait to open up my café and spread the superfood movement in Fort Worth.” As franchisee, Harrison also plans to open a Rockwall-area location following Fort Worth. Vitality Bowls already has seven cafés in the Metroplex, including Dallas, Frisco-Eldorado, Frisco-Starwood, Las Colinas, McKinney, Plano, and Southlake. November marks Vitality Bowls’ 10-year anniversary. Founders Roy and Tara Gilad first launched the brand in San Ramon, California, growing it to more than 140 locations open or in development across the U.S. “We are thrilled to have an athlete of Damon’s caliber join us to spread our superfood movement further throughout the country and make healthy eating more accessible to all,” Tara Gilad, president and co-founder of Vitality Bowls, said in a statement. “Damon is a wonderful addition to our franchise family, and I’m excited for him to grow our presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.”
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