1851

The health food trend has become such a big part of the restaurant industry today that it&rsquo;s hard to remember a time when its impact wasn&rsquo;t as large. But back in 2009 when Matt Matros founded Protein Bar, consumers were just starting to consider nutrition when dining out at fast casual chains.

Matros got the idea for Protein Bar the same way a lot of entrepreneurs think of their next big thing&mdash;there wasn&rsquo;t anything else out there like it. And after adopting a healthy lifestyle, he needed a healthier alternative to traditional fast food when he was on the go.

In an interview with the National Restaurant Association, Matros said, &ldquo;My father died of a heart attack at 48, and I didn&rsquo;t want that same future for myself. So I committed to a high-protein diet, started exercising and lost 60 pounds.&rdquo; He continued, &ldquo;We think we can really build a category for healthy fast food. Our mission is to change the way people eat on the go. Things are good for Protein Bar.&rdquo;

At first, Protein Bar was focused solely on smoothies and cold-pressed juice. But Matros eventually decided to add food with a nutritious spin, like subbing in quinoa for rice and only using egg whites. The brand&rsquo;s unique positioning couldn&rsquo;t have made its debut at a better time&mdash;Protein Bar became a fan favorite among health-minded consumers.

As the health food trend continued to grow, so did Protein Bar. But Matros decided to leave his position as the brand&rsquo;s CEO behind in order to pursue other entrepreneurial opportunities. While he still sits on Protein Bar&rsquo;s board, Matros is now focusing on building up his new company, Limitless Coffee &amp; Tea. The brand only uses direct-imported, &ldquo;wet washed&rdquo; beans that they&rsquo;re positioning as a health product.

&ldquo;In coffee, there are brands based on community, convenience and craft. We&rsquo;re creating a whole new positioning&mdash;an entirely new category,&rdquo; Matros told Crain&rsquo;s Chicago Business. He added, &ldquo;We just want to sell the cleanest beans possible. We want to be the opposite of the hipster coffee bars. This is performance coffee for urban professionals.&rdquo;

While Protein Bar and Limitless Coffee &amp; Tea are unique brands, they&rsquo;re still a part of the ever-growing health food segment of the restaurant industry. And after successfully launching his fast casual food and drink chain, Matros says that the key to success for both companies is ultimately the same.

During the National Restaurant Association&rsquo;s and Technomic&rsquo;s Fast Casual 2015 Trends &amp; Directions conference, Matros said, &ldquo;The best marketing is a great guest experience. Happy employees result in happy customers.&rdquo;

Young Entrepreneurs: Matt Matros of Protein Bar

1851 Franchise

The Protein Bar and Limitless Coffee & Tea founder is successfully launching new companies by filling a void in the restaurant industry.


young-entrepreneurs-matt-matros-of-protein-bar

Fresh Coat

Photo of Fresh Coat vehicle with ladders on top

The Rise of Home Improvement Franchises: Why Now Is the Time to Invest

why-invest-home-improvement-franchise-fresh-coat

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam inspector in red polo and khaki pants, walking by branded vehicle

Real Estate Today: Behind the Drywall: The Truth About Home Inspections

purpose-of-home-inspection

Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite Franchise - DTE - National Service Dog Month - 1851 Franchise

Celebrating Service Dogs: Why Proper Training Changes Lives — And How Dog Training Elite Is Leading the Way

dog-training-elite-national-service-dog-month

Senior Care Authority

How This Senior Care Authority Franchisee Turned Love for His Grandparents Into a Lifelong Calling

how-this-senior-care-authority-franchisee-turned-love-for-his-grandparents-into-a-lifelong-calling

Hometown News: Like Father, Like Son — Family-Run Inspection Business Blends Generations of Expertise and a Keen Eye for Detail

father-son-home-inspection-franchise-florida

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Mike Revak - Chief Business Officer - Sky Zone - Franchise Marketing Leaders - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Mike Revak — President and Chief Business Officer, Sky Zone

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-mike-revak-chief-business-officer-sky-zone

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Cathy Chavenet — Chief Marketing Officer, Paris Baguette

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-cathy-chavenet-chief-marketing-officer-paris-baguette

What It Really Feels Like To Franchise Your Business

what-it-really-feels-like-to-franchise-your-business

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Young Entrepreneurs: Matt Matros of Protein Bar

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS