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It’s safe to say that Desi Saran is fueled by his love for entrepreneurship. In his young life, Saran, 33, has already founded and sold multiple businesses including Playa Bowls, an acai shop, as well as Brandswiggin, a full-service web development agency. Then, in October 2017, Saran founded <a href="https://www.sweetberrybowls.com/copy-of-home?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=young-ones-to-watch-desi-saran-founder-and-ceo-of-sweetberry-bowls-2711799" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sweetberry Bowls</a>, a fast-casual acai bowl concept.&nbsp;“I knew I wanted to build another brand, something that focused on healthy foods as that’s really big in the industry right now,” the serial entrepreneur said.&nbsp;Now, only a few years later, Saran has grown the business to 20 locations across seven states.&nbsp;In an interview with 1851 Franchise, Saran discusses his entrepreneurial background and how his passion for business led him to founding and franchising Sweetberry Bowls.1851: What initially drew you to franchising?Saran: I actually had franchised my previous concept and knew before I even started Sweetberry that I wanted to scale it nationally. I wanted to be able to share my mission to bring healthy food to local communities, so franchising was really the only way to go. Right now, we have 19 stores and are about to open our 20th, bringing us to seven states. Additionally, franchising allows for a completely third-party person to get into a business concept that they know works. It’s a great opportunity to get other people involved in your business.&nbsp;1851: Where do you see the most opportunity in franchising and why are you excited about the future of the industry?Saran: I see a lot of opportunities in healthy fast casuals. The demand for healthy foods is heavily increasing. We are seeing a lot of consumers who aren’t necessarily switching their diets to vegan or vegetarian, but still want to eat that way and crave foods that are good for them. Consumers are becoming more open-minded about eating plant-based, vegan or vegetarian foods several times a week. We’re also seeing this trend with companies like Impossible and Beyond Meat. The category that Sweetberry is in is great because the consumer nowadays is really different. Millennials, for example, are very thoughtful of what they eat and increasingly consider the nutritional value of their foods.&nbsp;1851: What advice do you have for other young up-and-comers in the space?Saran: I would say, if you have an idea, don’t be afraid to test it out. Get it out there. You don’t have to go all-in right away; there’s other things you could try first to mitigate your risk. For example, a pop-up shop, catering, or hosting an event that won’t lock you into a lease or a long-term commitment. This will allow you to see if you have something good. If people are buying your product and responding well to it, then you can go for it head-on. So, for anyone who is thinking about becoming an entrepreneur or getting in this type of industry, I would say execute the idea, test it and go for it.&nbsp;1851: What advice would you give your younger self?Saran: The advice I would give to myself is to slow down and not grow so quickly. In our first year, we opened 12 stores, and this year we will open eight stores, so it’s been a crazy, crazy two years of nonstop growth and raising capital. So, I would tell myself to grow more organically and at a more sustained pace. That being said, we were able to handle all the growth, but it was a lot of work, time commitment and stress. Part of this whole thing is being able to enjoy the journey and the ride. When you’re growing that quickly, it gets hard to enjoy the process.&nbsp;1851: Who is someone you look to for inspiration?&nbsp;Saran: Throughout my time as an entrepreneur, I’ve had some really good local mentors. But, one person that really stands out is Paul Altero. He is with <a href="https://www.bubbakoos.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=young-ones-to-watch-desi-saran-founder-and-ceo-of-sweetberry-bowls-2711799" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bubbakoo’s Burritos</a>, a New Jersey brand that’s been around for about 10 or 11 years. Over the past year, they’ve really started hitting their stride and selling a lot of franchise territories. Years ago, when I started getting into the industry, Paul was the guy that took me under his wing. He has over two decades of experience in the franchising world and he’s more than willing to share advice and teach me the fundamentals of owning and franchising a business. When things get hard or I have questions, he’s always right there to help me.

Young Ones to Watch: Desi Saran, Founder and CEO of Sweetberry Bowls

1851 Franchise

Fueled by a love of starting his own business ventures and bringing healthy foods to local communities, Saran discusses how he grew Sweetberry Bowls to 20 locations in just two years.

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The Brass Tap

Inside The Brass Tap's Recipe for Record-Breaking New Store Performance

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Fresh Coat

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How Kimberly Nelson Is Painting a Path for the Next Generation of Women in Home Services With Fresh Coat Painters

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Lyricos Learning

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How California’s Tulare County Office of Education Expanded Access to Hands-On Learning With STEAM on Demand

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Voodoo Brewing Co.

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Celebrate National Beer Day at Voodoo Brewing Co. With New Releases and Old Favorites

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New U Women's Clinic & Aesthetics

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Beyond a Med Spa, New U Is a Women’s Health Solution

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KKR to Acquire Nothing Bundt Cakes in $2 Billion Deal

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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Building&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-do-you-build-a-franchise-business-plan-2717037">a business plan</a> is a crucial operational step for any entrepreneur. But how do I build a business plan for a franchise that complements the franchisor’s system while addressing the unique needs of a given location? In this guide with expert tips, you’ll learn how to craft a thoughtful, actionable franchise business plan.<h2>Start With The Franchisor’s System In Mind</h2>So, how do I build a business plan for a franchise? Well, avoiding repetition is a good start.“You specifically don’t want to duplicate what your franchisor is doing,” said long-time multi-unit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.solafranchising.com/">Sola Salons</a> franchise owner,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/haynes-chidsey-6a36a06/">Haynes Chidsey</a>. “There’s a reason why you join a franchise system and why you pay the fees and costs associated with it.”A strong franchise business plan should take advantage of the resources, marketing and operational systems that the franchisor provides (while utilizing daily experiences at the local level to help fine-tune what matters locally).<h2>Focus On Local Priorities</h2>A franchise business plan should be&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/how-to-build-a-strong-franchise-brand-presence-in-your-local-community-2729771">locally focused</a>. It should reflect the unique characteristics and needs of each local market. It’s essential to identify opportunities to attract local customers, build relationships within the community at the local level and tailor services to the regional preferences required by each market.“Be complementary to what your system provides,” said Chidsey. “Stay locally focused. That’s what I would say is key. Avoid mistakes by focusing on the magic.”<h2>Practical Steps For Building Your Plan</h2><ol><li>Assess Both Market And Competition – Build a thorough understanding of local demand, competitors and potential customer base. This will lead to more informed projections. &nbsp;</li><li>Define Financial Goals – Include startup costs, ongoing fees and revenue expectations in the business plan. Staffing, rent, marketing and working capital should all be factored in. &nbsp;</li><li>Leverage Franchisor Resources – Incorporate the systems, training and support offered by the franchisor (instead of reinventing processes). &nbsp;</li><li>Set Operational Priorities – Decide which areas require hands-on local management (as opposed to areas guided by the franchisor). Focus energy where it’s most impactful. &nbsp;</li><li>Review And Adjust – A business plan shouldn’t be static. So, track performance, adjust strategies and refine priorities as the franchised business scales.</li></ol><h2>The Takeaway</h2><a href="https://1851franchise.com/chapter-3-developing-a-franchise-business-plan-2722586">Creating a franchise business plan</a> is about balance. With a clear plan that integrates franchisor resources and local insight, franchisees can confidently move forward, knowing their businesses are structured to thrive. Leveraging a proven franchisor system to make smart, locally relevant decisions is key. By slowing down to go fast, and catering to the local trends or demands unique to each market, zees can more effectively build a roadmap and franchise business plan capable of delivering long-term success.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How do I build a business plan for a franchise?

How do I build a business plan for a franchise? In this guide with expert tips, learn how to build a plan that leverages franchisor resources, focuses on local priorities and brings long-term success.

Young Ones to Watch: Desi Saran, Founder and CEO of Sweetberry Bowls

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