LAST UPDATED: September 2026
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 20
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $329,000 - $514,750
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $1,865,746 (net sales of highest-performing reporting franchise location in 2025)

Frutta Bowls is a health-focused fast casual brand that operates under the WOWorks platform. It specializes in high-protein, plant-forward meal and snack options like acai, pitaya and kale bowls, smoothies and other healthy snacks.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for Frutta Bowls?

About the Brand

Frutta Bowls was founded in 2016 by Brooke Gagliano. After discovering acai bowl shops on the West Coast, she recognized there was a major gap in the East Coast market for health-conscious, convenient food.

Mission: To inspire healthy living by serving fresh, high-quality, plant-forward superfood meals that nourish the body and fuel active lifestyles.

Vision: To be a leading nationwide health-focused fast-casual brand, fostering vibrant community connections through accessible, nutritious dining.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

  • Fresh, Natural Ingredients: Frutta Bowls prioritizes using high-quality ingredients, including real acai base, rather than a juice or powder, and seasonal fruits and toppings.
  • Customization: Frutta Bowls allows guests to truly customize their bowls and create something that fits their dietary needs and current cravings.
  • Welcoming Atmosphere: Frutta Bowls goes beyond serving acai to create a welcoming atmosphere where it encourages health-conscious members of the community to gather and connect.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With Frutta Bowls?

  • Low Overhead Model: Frutta Bowls leans into the growing demand for healthier, convenient options with a model that minimizes staffing and real estate requirements.
  • Join a Growing Brand: Frutta Bowls is a relatively young brand in the larger restaurant landscape. Franchisees who join now will be a part of its growth story and may have an opportunity to shape the future of the brand.
  • Expert Leadership: The brand is young, but its team is not. Frutta Bowls franchisees are supported by a leadership team that brings decades of combined experience in the healthy, fast-casual space.

Available Territories

Frutta Bowls does not publish specific target markets. Prospective franchisees should reach out to the development team to learn about opportunities in their markets.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Frutta Bowls franchise ranges from $329,000 to $514,750. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Type of Expenditure

Min

Max

Initial Franchise Fee

$35,000

$35,000

Architectural Plan Review

$0

$1,000

Architect Fees

$14,250

$14,250

Permits & License Fee

$1,500

$5,000

Leasehold Improvements

$120,000

$190,000

Equipment

$47,500

$90,000

Furniture

$8,500

$12,500

Millwork

$14,500

$22,500

Smallwares

$5,500

$8,000

Exterior Signage

$7,500

$17,000

Interior Signage & Graphics

$1,500

$3,000

Technology Systems

$25,000

$32,000

Technology Deposit Fee

$5,000

$5,000

Grand Opening Marketing

$15,000

$15,000

Uniforms, Menu Materials, Office Supplies

$3,500

$4,500

Travel & Living Expenses While Training

$1,000

$7,500

Opening Inventory

$9,000

$14,500

Insurance

$1,500

$3,500

Additional Funds (3 Months)

$15,000

$35,000

Initial Franchise Fee: Frutta Bowls assesses a $35,000 franchise fee, due when the franchise agreement is signed.

Frutta Bowls currently offers a 25% discount on the initial franchise fee for qualifying veterans and first responders.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Frutta Bowls franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

Type of FeeAmount
Royalty Fee6% of net sales/week
Brand Development Fund Contribution3% of net sales/week
Local Advertising and Promotion2% of net sales, as incurred
Technology Bundle Fee$605 - $1,800/month
Digital Menu Display Fees$200/month

ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 15 franchises operating for the entirety of 2025 reported the following net sales:

Quartile

Average

Median

High

Low

Top 1/4 (4)

$1,026,776

$789,011

$1,865,746

$663,337

Second 1/4 (4)

$466,911

$464,462

$520,657

$418,064

Third 1/4 (3)

$343,042

$400,131

$404,912

$224,083

Bottom 1/4 (4)

$175,934

$174,144

$204,215

$151,234

3. What Franchisee Support Does Frutta Bowls Provide?

Pre-Opening Support

Frutta Bowls franchisees have the help of a dedicated pre-opening team that guides them through things like site selection, real estate negotiations, permitting and construction.

Training Programs

Franchisees complete in-depth training covering all aspects of the business, from inventory management to marketing strategies. Owners also gain hands-on experience with food preparation.

Operational Support

Once franchisees are fully onboarded, they receive ongoing support through a dedicated franchise business partner, access to marketing materials, advertising co-ops and social media support. The franchisor also offers educational opportunities to ensure owners are up-to-date on the most recent industry trends and best practices.

Technology and Tools

Frutta Bowls franchisees use the brand’s POS system, digital menu boards, optional ordering kiosks and an integrated online ordering and customer loyalty program.

4. What Are the Franchisee Requirements for Frutta Bowls?

Eligibility Criteria

  • Liquid Assets: $125,000
  • Net Worth: $250,000

Prior restaurant or franchise experience is not required. Frutta Bowls focuses on candidates who embrace a healthy lifestyle, prioritize guests and community, have a results-oriented mindset and are truly driven to succeed.

Operational Commitments

The franchisee (or at least one principal, if it is a franchisee group) must dedicate their efforts to managing the business. Absentee ownership is not ideal, but day-to-day supervision of the unit can be delegated to a full-time manager who has completed the initial training program.

Funding Assistance

Frutta Bowls does not offer direct or indirect financing.

5. What Is the Market Potential for Fast Casual?

The U.S. fast casual market reached $48.5 billion in 2025, and it's expected to continue expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 6.4% between 2026 and 2035 to reach a value of over $90 billion. Consumers' growing emphasis on both convenience and quality has supported the growth of the industry, and technological advancements like mobile apps and loyalty programs have only propelled that success.

Competitor Analysis

Frutta Bowls sets itself apart with a low-overhead, equipment-light model and an all-day dining model. Through its parent company, WOWorks, it also offers co-branding opportunities.

Frutta Bowls’ primary competitors include Playa Bowls, Rush Bowls and Smoothie King.

6. What Is the Application Process for Frutta Bowls Franchisees?

  1. Get in Touch: Fill out the initial franchise inquiry form. A member of the development team will contact you.
  2. Initial Call: Review your information and the details of the franchise opportunity with the team to determine whether you’re a fit.
  3. Brand Overview and FDD Review: Learn more about the business model and receive a copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document.
  4. Due Diligence: Complete your full application, financial information and business plan.
  5. Meet the Team: Meet the leadership team to learn how you’ll be supported. If everyone is in agreement, move forward with signing your franchise agreement and officially become an owner.

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.

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Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational use only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. 

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

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Morgan Wood

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Morgan Wood

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