Vitality Bowls is a fast-casual superfood café franchise serving açaí bowls, smoothies, fresh juices, salads, wraps, and grain bowls — made to order with no fillers, no artificial preservatives, and no allergen cross-contact.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $75,000 (Liquid Capital refers to readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets that can be accessed without borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income.)
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator; semi-passive once a trained management team is in place
- Location Type: Retail — 750 to 1,500 sq ft
- Time Commitment: Full-time initially; flexible once operations are established
- Experience Required: None — management experience and health-conscious mindset valued
Top 5 Reasons to Invest
- Fast-casual health food, one of fastest-growing segments
- Investment starts well under $250,000
- Allergy-friendly niche competitors cannot replicate
- Multi-unit scaling built into franchise fee structure
- Named Top 100 New Franchises by Entrepreneur
About Vitality Bowls
Vitality Bowls was founded in 2011 in San Ramon, California by Roy and Tara Gilad — parents of a daughter with severe food allergies who wanted a place where she could eat safely and well. That personal mission became a brand built around the widest superfood selection in the industry, strict allergen protocols, and zero-filler recipes. The brand began franchising in 2015 and now operates 78 locations nationwide.
Every Vitality Bowls menu item is made to order using fresh, nutrient-dense superfoods including açaí, pitaya, graviola, camu camu, maca, and moringa — ingredients rarely found together under one roof. The 750–1,500 sq ft café model keeps real estate costs manageable while serving a health-focused customer base that visits consistently for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Why Franchise With Vitality Bowls?
- Allergy-friendly positioning — strict allergen cross-contact protocols and clean-ingredient sourcing attract a loyal, underserved customer base that actively seeks out Vitality Bowls by name.
- Widest superfood selection in the industry — graviola, pitaya, camu camu, maca, and moringa alongside açaí create a menu depth no independent smoothie or bowl shop can easily match.
- Affordable food franchise entry point — total investment starting under $210,000 puts this well below most food concepts, which typically require $500,000 to $1 million to open.
- Founder-led support team — Roy and Tara Gilad personally guide franchisees through real estate, construction, P&L management, and ongoing operations alongside a dedicated field support team.
- Multi-unit fee incentives — franchise fee drops from $40,000 to $30,000 for units 2–4 and $20,000 for units 5 and beyond with a 5-unit Area Development Agreement.
ABF Advisory Perspective
Market Analysis: Health and wellness food is one of the most durable consumer trends of the last decade, with no signs of reversal. Fast-casual concepts serving clean, functional food continue to take market share from traditional QSR. The allergy-aware dining segment is particularly underdeveloped — millions of families with dietary restrictions actively seek trustworthy options in their communities.
ABF Timing Insight: Most food franchises price out first-time investors before they ever get started. At under $210,000 to open, Vitality Bowls sits in a rare category — a genuine food franchise with strong brand identity and a defensible niche at an entry point most candidates can actually reach.
Training & Support
- 14-day initial training — held at Vitality Bowls headquarters in Walnut Creek, CA, covering operations, menu preparation, P&L management, hiring, and marketing.
- On-site opening support — corporate team travels to your location for opening week to ensure a smooth launch.
- Real estate and construction guidance — site selection, demographic analysis, lease negotiation, and pre-approved vendor network for buildout.
- Monthly franchise meetings — direct access to founders Roy and Tara Gilad, system updates, and peer collaboration with other franchisees.
- Ongoing field support — dedicated field team available for in-person visits, marketing assistance, and operational coaching throughout the life of your franchise.
Who Are We Looking For?
- Health-conscious operators passionate about clean food and community wellness
- Customer-focused leaders committed to outstanding café experiences
- High-energy entrepreneurs who lead by example on the floor
- Management-experienced owners comfortable hiring and developing teams
- Growth-minded investors open to multi-unit expansion over time
Franchise Fit & Capital Readiness
Who Is NOT a Good Fit for Vitality Bowls:
- Passive investors unwilling to be present during the critical first 3–6 months
- Candidates without the people management skills to build and retain a team
- Anyone expecting a short ramp — café businesses build volume through community reputation and repeat visits
- Candidates who cannot meet the $75,000 liquid capital requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need food service or restaurant experience?
A. No. Vitality Bowls provides full operational training. The brand looks for health-minded, management-experienced candidates — prior restaurant ownership is not required.
Q. What does the territory look like?
A. The average territory is approximately one mile in driving distance. Vitality Bowls looks for areas with residential populations above 45,000, daytime employment above 15,000, and median household income of $50,000–$75,000 or higher.
Q. Is multi-unit ownership available?
A. Yes. Vitality Bowls offers Area Development Agreements with a declining franchise fee structure — $30,000 per unit for locations 2 through 4, and $20,000 per unit for a 5-unit ADA.
Next Steps
By submitting this form, you confirm that you meet the liquid capital requirement of $75,000 established by the franchisor — meaning you have access to cash or cash-equivalent assets without borrowing, selling your primary residence, or relying on future income.
Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Vitality Bowls.
This profile represents general franchise information compiled from publicly available sources. Individual results may vary. Refer to the current Franchise Disclosure Document for complete disclosures before making any investment decision.
Being an owner at Vitality Bowls for almost a year now has been a very gratifying experience for me and my family. When we started the process, it was clearly evident that their mission, purpose and values matched those I was passionate about. Through this journey, I have learned that we live in a rapidly changing environment and Vitality Bowls is constantly changing as well. I remember joining when only one franchise store was opened, and to watch the growth and scale of Vitality Bowls now, makes me proud to be part of the family. I know this franchise has the potential to continue to great things and I am so excited to be part of this incredible journey.
What I love most about owning a Vitality Bowls franchise is the Human Connection. This is why becoming a Vitality Bowls Franchisee has been so rewarding both spiritually, mentally and financially. Through our delicious superfood experience, we have created great relationships with our customers and formed a sense of community. Vitality Bowls has started a movement in our community to really celebrate healthy, clean eating! Food is medicine. It has the ability to heal and we educate and explore this perspective with our customers. Our Vitality Bowls team, along with myself, have connected with hundreds of customers and through their stories. Our passion for healthy food has created a positive and strong bond that continues to grow stronger and touch the lives of the Lubbock Community.
Dana is a nuclear electrician turned Vitality Bowls franchise owner. As a coach for her kids’ sports teams, she was constantly driving to and from games and wanted a healthy alternative to fast food restaurants. In May 2016 she decided to open a Vitality Bowls in her hometown of Roseville, CA. Drawing from her nuclear electrician background, she knows that to be proficient at something like sports or a healthy body, you need to practice and work hard. That includes putting the right food in your body and creating that healthy food is what she loves best about owning a Vitality Bowls.