1851

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.

young-ones-to-watch-desi-saran-founder-and-ceo-of-sweetberry-bowls

Mosquito Squad Plus

How This Marine Corps Veteran Found Freedom and Purpose With Mosquito Squad

how-this-marine-corps-veteran-found-freedom-and-purpose-with-mosquito-squad

Spadea Lignana Franchise Attorneys

How The DeFelice Brothers Turned a $10,000 Loan Into an Award-Winning Franchise With Help From Spadea Lignana

how-the-defelice-brothers-turned-a-10000-loan-into-an-award-winning-franchise-with-help-from-spadea-lignana

Caring Transitions

How This Gilbert Entrepreneur Found Purpose Helping Families Through Life’s Transitions

how-this-gilbert-entrepreneur-found-purpose-helping-families-through-lifes-transitions

USA Ninja Challenge

Where Passion Meets Purpose: USA Ninja Challenge Gives Franchisees the Power to Change Lives

where-passion-meets-purpose-usa-ninja-challenge-gives-franchisees-the-power-to-change-lives

SweatHouz

From Finance to Wellness: Natalie Siewers’ Path to Leading SweatHouz in Northern Virginia

sweathouz-franchise-northern-virginia-natalie-siewers

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

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

image of mellow mushroom deep dive into financials article from 1851 franchise

Mellow Mushroom Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

mellow-mushroom-franchise-deep-dive

How goGLOW Turned Clean Beauty Into a Scalable Franchise and Why It’s Accelerating Now

goglow-clean-beauty-tanning-franchise

Shoot 360 Aims for the Topgolf Model, Using Elite Basketball Tech to Appeal to Players '7 to 70'

shoot-360-franchise-growth-tech-basketball-brad-butterworth

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS