Husband and Wife Business Partners Bring Zoup! to their hometown.

For those who crave the comfort, warmth and feelings of well-being that soup offers, the consensus is clear – good soup, really good soup, is hard to find. That’s exactly why Diane and Steve Crnokrak decided to bring Zoup! to Northwest Indiana.

After spending 25 years working in the finance industry in downtown Chicago, internal changes and downsizing left Steve at a career crossroads. Too young to retire, he began researching new business opportunities—that’s when he came across Zoup! With nothing similar in the area, the concept itself was unique to his community in Highland, Indiana. Eager to experience what the brand is all about firsthand, he traveled to the nearest Zoup! He tried it, and immediately fell in love with its selection and quality of homemade soups.

“Even though Zoup! has plenty of healthy options, I probably gained weight during that research phase,” Crnokrak joked. “But I was completely hooked. The closest thing we’ve ever had to Zoup! was Panera Bread, but they simply don’t have the same variety. I ended up contacting the company to learn about franchising. And just like that, one thing led to another—I’ve never looked back since.”

By May 2015, he signed his first franchise agreement with the brand, and by October 2016, the Crnokraks officially opened the doors to their business. What happened next earned them the coveted “Rookie of the Year” award at Zoup!’s Annual Franchise Reunion.

“We broke the brand’s grand opening record with sales. We had such a crazy response—we couldn’t keep up with the amount of people coming through the door. It was an incredible start, and the sign we needed to confirm that our investment in Zoup! was the right one,” Crnokrak added.

Both Diane and Steve agree that Zoup!’s concept itself is what drew them to the brand. With 12 rotating soups every day, customers can always look forward to trying something new. They can also expect that every soup is made with the same kind of care, high-quality ingredients and time-tested recipes. Plus, the brand’s selection of sandwiches and salads allows them to compete with restaurants like Panera Bread head on—and if you asked Diane, Steve and their customers, Zoup! does it better, hands down.

“Zoup!’s concept is quite unique. The food really does speak for itself. Once you get the customers in the door, they’re immediately hooked,” Diane said. “No matter the season, Zoup!’s menu has something for everyone.”

As first-time franchise owners, the Crnokraks also credit Zoup!’s corporate support for their success. One of the most important elements leading up to their grand opening was finding the perfect real estate, and the brand’s corporate team was on hand to offer unparalleled support.

“We were incredibly pleased with the support from Zoup!’s corporate team. They were with us every step of the way—from finding the perfect real estate and analyzing the community’s demographics to assessing the nearby competition and building a local marketing plan,” Crnokrak said. “This was the first time we’ve owned a business, and having someone helping us along the way assured us that we had made the right decision.”

According to the Crnokraks, the best part about their new business adventure has been the exciting learning process they’ve experienced along the way. And based on the initial success of the Crnokrak’s first location, they’re already considering opening another location in the years ahead.

“There’s still so much more to learn about running this business, and that’s what excites us the most,” Crnokrak said. “Our experience so far has been nothing but positive, and we’re looking forward to what the future holds for us and for Zoup!”