Raintree Helped Rush Bowls Develop From Emerging Brand to Prime Franchising Opportunity

At first glance, Rush Bowls was not the type of franchise client Raintree normally takes on.

Raintree primarily works with smaller, emerging brands, although they are equipped to help franchises of all sizes. That said, Rush Bowls, a Boulder, Colorado-based, health-focused establishment that specializes in acai bowls and first launched in 2004, was smaller than small.

“Rush Bowls had yet to prove replication of the model, with only one operating store at the time.” Raintree CEO Brent Dowling said. “They had plans to build a second store in Denver but they hadn’t yet achieved that. Typically we would have to pass on this type of brand.”

A solid product

But Raintree executives were seriously impressed by the Rush Bowls support team, which Dowling described as “phenomenal.” Launched in 2014, Raintree offers a variety of services to help franchisors meet and exceed their development goals, including lead generation, sales support and more. Dowling noted how the Raintree team “fell in love” with Rush Bowls’ products. Raintree ultimately decided to partner with Rush Bowls, even though they had not yet opened a second location.

“We took a risk on our end and they took a risk on us too,” Dowling said.

That risk paid off. Rush Bowls experienced major growth in the first two years they worked with Raintree, and the momentum is just getting started. By the third year, Dowling said Rush Bowls should have approximately 100 stores awarded.

Rush Bowls: A History

Rush Bowls CEO and Founder, Andrew Pudalov, had decided to trade in a career in finance and follow his dream of operating a health-focused eating establishment. The brand needed major help in its plans to expand, and Pudalov learned about Raintree and its services through a franchise attorney.

“Being a young brand, it was important to us to have the full suite of development,” Pudalov said. “Raintree does a great job of turning a young brand into a more mature brand. They foster that growth by bringing deals and improving marketing techniques and developing the sales pitch from soup to nuts.”

Rush Bowls is thrilled to take advantage of the wide variety of services Raintree has to offer its clients.

Developing a development strategy

Raintree helped Rush Bowls develop their franchise development strategy and create their Discovery Day.

“They handle the follow-up and we’re all looped in when necessary,” Pudalov said of Raintree. “I think just through the Discovery Day process alone, they’ve helped us immensely in selling a franchise and doing it the proper way. They’re very process driven and that helps any young brand or even an old brand.”

There’s also the matter of screening prospective franchisees, which is no easy feat for any brand, regardless of size. This is yet another area where Raintree has stepped up to the plate for Rush Bowls.

“We’re very picky on what franchisees we want to develop stores with, and it’s not just about a commission for Raintree,” Pudalov said. “We meet variable clients through Raintree - big executives, heads of companies, very experienced business leaders - and Raintree can handle the gamut of these different possible franchisees. It’s nice that they’re capable of dealing with a lot of different backgrounds.”

An excellent relationship

Pudalov described the relationship between Raintree and Rush Bowls as a positive one that is centered on teamwork and being on the same page. If there is an issue, both sides address that issue and, as Pudalov says, make the most of it. 

“It’s all about communication, being upfront, overcoming challenges, meeting them, making a negative a positive,” Pudalov said. “We’ve had a lot of good luck with them and they’re good at what they do for early-stage development.”

Dowling said that the whole experience has been an “eye-opener” for the Raintree team.

“Sometimes it really is about taking the time to understand the product and understand the people behind that product, rather than dismissing a brand because of it’s size.” Dowling said.

Faster brand growth

If Rush Bowls hadn’t used Raintree, Pudalov is sure they still would have franchised, but the sales rate would have been slower.

“Raintree has done a good job at helping us grow quickly and profitably,” he said.

Raintree has Pudalov’s wholehearted recommendation - and that of the rest of the Rush Bowls team.

“The most for me has been building friendships and relationships with the people at Raintree,” Pudalov said. “I’d recommend them for any budding business that wants to grow.”