Zoup! Leverages Strong Momentum and Brand Awareness to Grow in Philadelphia

When it comes to comfort food, there isn’t another item out there that can match soup’s powerful and intangible qualities of comfort, warmth and well-being. But for years, it was nearly impossible to find really good soup at restaurants. That’s why, two decades ago, Eric Ersher decided to launch a new concept specifically dedicated to providing consumers with the quality soup they crave.  He called the restaurant Zoup!, and quickly found that demand for their product was at an all-time high.

Today, with 100 units currently open for business in communities across the country, it’s clear that the heightened demand for good soup hasn’t waned. Zoup! is grabbing the attention of both consumers and business owners alike, and its momentum is expected to stay strong in the months and years ahead. That’s why Zoup! is capitalizing on its position as an industry leader by expanding in markets where its business model is already thriving. Specifically, the brand is targeting the Philadelphia suburbs for future growth.

After successfully operating stores there for the past 10 years, Zoup! still sees plenty of room for aspiring franchisees to grow in the area. In fact, Richard Zimmer, the brand’s director of franchise development and real estate, says that it’s one of the best markets for their existing franchisees.

“The volumes that our locations in the Philadelphia area are seeing are the highest in the country,” Zimmer said. “It just goes to show that our business model is a perfect match for the market — Zoup! and Philadelphia are a natural fit.”

What makes Zoup! such a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to own and operate their own businesses in Philadelphia is its high standards for excellence. From its family-friendly environment and focus on exceptional customer service to the brand’s rotating selection of award-winning soups, there’s something on the menu for everyone every time they walk through Zoup!’s doors. The brand offers its customers 12 rotating varieties of soup per day, catering to all types of diets and nutritional preferences, and every bowl of Zoup! soup is served with freshly baked bread.

“Zoup! is truly in a league of its own,” said Zimmer. “There isn’t another brand out there that can match what we do on a daily basis. We’re the only concept that’s focused on bringing the positive experience that soup invokes to our loyal customers. From traditional, hearty soups to low-fat, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free recipes, we have a menu that speaks to all kinds of preferences. And we’re constantly looking for ways to enhance and upgrade our concept. We want our customers and local owners to have the best resources at their disposal.”

In addition to tapping into a previously underserved segment of the restaurant franchising industry, Zoup! helps franchisees succeed by offering a  supportive structure and simple business model. By providing its local owners with comprehensive and ongoing training, which includes best practices from its  entire system, as well as shorter-than-normal hours of operation and simple recipes, Zoup! franchisees are able to hit the ground running as soon as they sign on to open up their own location. And with an initial investment that starts from $386,860, including a $39,900 franchise fee, the brand’s one-of-a-kind business-ownership opportunity is accessible to all types of franchisees.

“As a franchisor, our primary goal is to set our local owners up for success,” Zimmer said. “That’s why we make it a top priority to provide support whenever needed. We’re truly in business together with our franchisees. At the end of the day, the Zoup! system is only as strong as the people behind it. That’s why we’re looking forward to working with even more passionate owners down the line as we expand our reach in Philadelphia and beyond.”