From Sacramento Business Journal, by Sonya Sorich – A Danville-based “superfood cafe” franchise currently has one Sacramento-area location, but its president hopes that will change soon.
“We find the sacramento market to be a prime market for us,” said Tara Gilad, president and co-founder of Vitality Bowls.
The chain entered the area with a Roseville site that opened in 2016. Its menu includes smoothies, juices, snacks and acai bowls filled with “superfoods” such as blueberries and kale, which are rich in nutrients.
Gilad said she’s looking for additional “health-minded” franchisees to open new sites in the greater Sacramento area. She hopes to have one more Vitality Bowls location open in the area this year, and four or five more local sites open in 2022.
“It’s the right kind of energy that we’re looking for in a market,” Gilad said of the Sacramento area, citing a local focus on healthy lifestyles.
The company is still searching for local operators, and hasn’t finalized any real estate plans, Gilad said. But she said Vitality Bowls locations are generally 1,200 square feet, in high-traffic areas with good parking and proximity to residential areas, offices and schools.
Vitality Bowls is focusing on some specific places as it eyes additional expansion, including Roseville, Folsom, Elk Grove, Natomas and the Arden area, according to the company.
The average investment range to open a Vitality Bowls location is $170,100 to $604,000, according to the company’s website.
Vitality Bowls has 146 locations including sites that are open or in development. Gilad said she’s optimistic about the company’s future, as people continue to shift toward healthier eating habits. Like most businesses, Vitality Bowls was impacted by the pandemic, but Gilad suggested the impact could have been worse. “I don’t think we got hit as hard as some other people got hit,” she said.
The company continues to focus on efficiency, as well as quality, Gilad said.
From Eater Austin, Nadia Chaudhury – California restaurant chain Vitality Bowls is looking to open in Austin, as part of its expansion plans. The health-food chain focuses on made-to-order açaí bowls, smoothies, juices, soups, salads, and paninis. Co-founders Roy and Tara Gilad started the company in 2011 in California and began franchising the company in 2014.
From Culturemap Austin, by Chantal Rice – As part of an ambitious growth plan to expand from coast to coast, one California-based wellness brand is setting up shop in Austin, hoping to bowl locals over with its superfood cafes.
Vitality Bowls, which specializes in made-to-order acai bowls and other antioxidant-rich menu items like smoothies, fresh juices, soups, salads, and panini, plans to open three or four franchised store locations in the Austin market, with the first opening within the next year to 18 months. Local site selection is currently in the early stages, according to the company.
After researching the area, Vitality Bowls targeted Austin as one of several U.S. markets for expansion based on a variety of factors, including the city’s strong real estate market and business opportunities, and, in no small part, because of Austinites’ devotion to a healthy lifestyle.
“We have conducted extensive research on the market and have selected Austin as a prime market for franchise expansion,” says Uriah Blum, chief operations officer for Vitality Bowls. “They have an upbeat culture and the customer demographics that we’re looking for, which were definitely appealing factors. A vast majority of Austin residents are living healthier and more active lifestyles as well. This makes our expansion into the area a no-brainer, knowing we have a customer base eager for what we have to offer.”
Founded in 2011 by Roy and Tara Gilad in San Ramon, California, Vitality Bowls was developed as a result of the couple hoping to provide safe, healthy food alternatives for their daughter, who suffered from severe food allergies. The superfood cafe concept has only flourished since then, with the company now boasting 145 locations open or in development.
Though Vitality Bowls will have to compete with local wellness brands like Juiceland and Blenders and Bowls, company reps note Austin’s demand for healthy fare will likely continue to increase as the city grows.
“The demand for health and wellness offerings is rapidly increasing and now is the perfect time for Vitality Bowls to grow in Austin,” says co-founder and CEO Roy Gilad. “As we approach our 10-year anniversary as a brand in 2021, we can take a step back and look at how much we have accomplished since we began franchising. Vitality Bowls has become much more than just a superfood cafe; it’s a part of America’s fitness and nutritional movement. Being able to share this way of life with the Austin community is an exciting honor.”
Vitality Bowls already has a few locations dotting Austin suburbs, including in Cedar Park and San Marcos, but the company is focused on Austin in a more significant capacity as part of an ambitious 2021 growth plan to sell multiple franchised locations and open 10 to 15 new locations opening in Austin, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Portland.
“Austin is a growing city with the right type of energy we’re looking for in a market. They already have a great restaurant scene [and] we think Vitality Bowls could really elevate it. More and more Austin residents are prioritizing health and wellness in their lives. This gives us an opportunity to reach our ideal customer base,” Blum says, also noting the company will continue to pursue other markets in Texas. “Within the 2021 growth plan, the two Texas markets that will be focused on are Austin and Fort Worth.”
From LaJena, @lajenajames – “I’m so glad to have partnered with @vitalitybowlsfriendswood for black history month. #bhm Not only is this location black owned but the owners Jimmy & Jackie are passionate about the fresh, healthy and delicious ingredients it offers to our community. #ad
Vitality Bowls offers a variety of Superfood bowls, fresh juices, smoothies, salads and more. Two of my favorite selections are the Immunity & Superfood bowls. #superfoodfood These bowls are packed with great nutrients and antioxidants. Choosing healthier options for our bodies is essential for better long term health. Knowing that Vitality Bowls is committed to made fresh to orders makes me sure of my decision to frequent their establishment for super-rich foods that support my journey of better health. #buyblackowned
When ordering here, you’ll never get ingredient fillers such as ice, frozen yogurt or artificial preservatives are used, they are giving the purest taste possible to each item. On their website you get to access their nutritional facts for each item, so you can experience the benefits it has for you. To top off my bowls, I like to add the Detoxifier Juice, this a blend of raw ginger, lemon, cucumber and coconut water! Talk about gooooodd!! Y’all know I like my green juice!
Not only does Vitality Bowls give you quality and value with their products but when you use the app for each purchase you get reward points that you can use towards future purchases. Every month they offer new rewards and specials!
Have you ever had an acai bowl?! They are so yummy!”
From FastCausual.com – California-based Vitality Bowls has launched an expansion plan, targeting Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Austin and Phoenix. The healthy fast casual plans to open 15-20 locations by the end of 2021.
“As we reflect on a time full of trials and obstacles, it’s important for us to look ahead to 2021 with the persevering momentum that our franchise system has generated over the past year,” Roy Gilad, CEO of Vitality Bowls, said in a company press release. “The heights we reached in 2020 are testaments to all that we are capable of–our ability to keep growing, adapting and moving forward despite the challenges. We are incredibly proud of our franchisees and team members for their hard work and determination that led to last year’s victories, and we know 2021 will be even more abundant with success.”
After confronting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that were imposed on the restaurant industry in 2020, the brand shifted its focus to off-premise strategies and customer experiences. The strategy resulted in an increased average ticket price, the addition of 60,000 Loyalty Program members and over 1.8 million açaí bowls sold, Gilad said.
The chain, which began franchising about five years ago, also added nine locations last year, entering Salt Lake City, Seattle, Colorado Springs and South Florida.
Roy and Tara Gilad founded Vitality Bowls in 2011 in San Ramon, California, and now has more than 145 cafes open or in development.
From QSR – Allergy-friendly superfood café, Vitality Bowls, is building on the accomplishments of 2020 with a tactical 2021 franchise growth strategy and noteworthy milestones in the year ahead.
The brand has announced a dynamic expansion plan targeting metro U.S. markets, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Austin, Phoenix and more. With a pathway to open 15-20 new locations before the end of the year, the health-food concept is positioned for success.
“As we reflect on a time full of trials and obstacles, it’s important for us to look ahead to 2021 with the persevering momentum that our franchise system has generated over the past year,” says Roy Gilad, CEO of Vitality Bowls. “The heights we reached in 2020 are testaments to all that we are capable of–our ability to keep growing, adapting and moving forward despite the challenges. We are incredibly proud of our franchisees and team members for their hard work and determination that led to last year’s victories, and we know 2021 will be even more abundant with success.”
After confronting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that were imposed on the restaurant industry in 2020, the brand’s innovative digital approach shifted its focus to off-premise strategies and customer experiences. The strategy proved to be effective, resulting in an increased average ticket price, the addition of 60,000 Loyalty Program members and over 1.8 million açaí bowls sold.
Vitality Bowls galvanized even more excitement in 2020 after entering new markets including Salt Lake City, Seattle, Colorado Springs, South Florida and more, resulting in nine new openings and six signed deals.
In addition to amplified expansion and ranking #1 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list in the “Acai Bowl” category, the brand’s 10-year anniversary is another milestone on the horizon for 2021. A decade after its conception and more than five years since it began franchising, Vitality Bowls is now solidifying itself as a long-standing leader and health-food pioneer in the restaurant sector.
Originating in Northern California, Vitality Bowls has solidified itself as America’s superfood café – combining a dynamic café vibe with a unique collection of menu items containing high nutritional values and extraordinary tastes. The brand specializes in açaí bowls – a thick blend of the Amazon’s antioxidant-rich açaí berry, topped with a variety of superfoods. All items are made to order and prepared in a kitchen designed to avoid cross contact for customers with food allergies. All of the brand’s bowls and smoothies are free of ingredient fillers such as ice, frozen yogurt or artificial preservatives, giving the purest taste possible.
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