Top 10 Health-Focused Food Franchises To Watch in 2020

Health food is no longer a niche offering—the $48 billion organic food industry now accounts for 5.7% of all U.S. food sales. The quick-service and fast casual restaurant industries are both experiencing significant innovations due to this increasing demand for health-focused food options. As millennials and Gen Z customers get older, brands must cater to a growing crowd of health-conscious consumers while maintaining a high level of service, a lucrative business model and streamlined operations to meet the growing demand for healthy options. These are some of the most popular and well-positioned franchises in the health food segment.

SoBol

Unit count: 23

Investment range: $174,800 to $249,500

Inspired by his family’s successful ice house, Jason Mazzarone created the acai café in 2012. Since then, SoBol has grown steadily, with Mazzarone taking his culinary arts degree and background as a chef and teaming up with Jim Kalomiris, who has more than 20 years of experience in restaurant management, real estate and construction to develop SoBol into the franchised brand it is today. These co-founders found a niche in the quick casual market through fresh and healthy acai bowls and are now poised to grow quickly due to quality operations and a strong market need.

What you can learn from this brand: While acai bowls were a niche offering when SoBol first opened its doors, Acai has exploded in popularity as a heart-healthy, Vitamin C-boosting and antioxidant-rich food, creating a lucrative and scalable business opportunity for franchisees. SoBol wasn’t afraid to try something new and its due diligence has paid off ten-fold.

Pokéworks

Unit count: 20

Investment rage: $250,000

Founded in 2016, Pokéworks was brought to life with the goal of bringing one of Hawaii’s favorite dishes to the contiguous U.S. The brand has committed to providing sustainable, seasonal and natural ingredients to customers around the country and is expanding rapidly as a result, primarily through multi-unit franchisees.

What you can learn from this brand: Pokéworks went viral in 2016 when its groundbreaking Sushi Burrito made its way onto the internet. With the video receiving over 46 million views, the brand didn’t hesitate to jump on the popularity, partnering with Toridoll Holdings Corporation for global development. Pokéworks is a great example of how to take advantage of a viral moment while maintaining what makes a brand special. 

Saladworks

Unit count: 92

Investment range: $163,724 to $452,292

Saladworks is the nation’s leading entrée salad destination, serving up healthy options one salad at a time. After opening its doors in 1986 as America’s original fast casual salad concept, Saladworks began franchising in 2001. Now, the made-to-order concept gives guests in nearly 100 different locations the option of creating their own salad or enjoying one of its many signature and seasonal options, along with a selection of freshly-made complementary products like wraps and soups. 

What you can learn from this brand: Saladworks has taken its early success and capitalized on it, hiring new CEO Kelly Roddy to focus on franchisee success, unit-level economics and steady implementation of the latest technology tools to benefit customers, franchisees and team members as consumer demand for its product grows. These innovations include a state-of-the-art learning management system, enhanced online ordering platform and third-party delivery options. 

CoreLife Eatery

Unit count: 52

Investment range: $786,000 to $1,255,500

Launched in Syracuse, New York in 2015, CoreLife Eatery specializes in healthy options that bodies truly need, including bowls of greens and grains, simmered bone and vegetable broth, grass-fed steak, all-natural chicken and fresh tofu. All of the fast casual brand’s ingredients are completely free of GMOs, trans fat, artificial colors, sweeteners and artificial additives.

What you can learn from this brand: CoreLife Eatery doubled its revenue in one year, experiencing a staggering 133% increase in sales. While many brands offer healthy options, CoreLife Eatery takes the health-conscious mindset seriously. The fast casual eatery sets itself apart by cultivating a full-on lifestyle for its customers, offering yoga and Pilates classes at certain locations. 

Salad Station

Unit count: 20+

Investment range: $198,650 to $354,900

Founded in 2012, The Salad Station continues the legacy of founder Scott Henderson’s family’s deep passion for farming, fresh ingredients and exceptional value. The Salad Station’s self-serve, pay-by-the-pound approach benefits guests by bringing purpose to their bowls and reducing waste while also supporting franchise partners, as it translates to a low-cost labor model. With over 100 toppings and a hot bar, the Salad Station offers triple the choices of other build-your-own salad companies—including gourmet selections without the premium price tag. 

What you can learn from this brand: The brand is an innovator with sustainable offerings, providing high-quality products at affordable prices. As eco-friendly consumers continue to drive development within the segment, The Salad Station’s commitment to a bountiful salad bar that is always “Fresh, Full, Clean” makes the franchise truly unique. The brand has also innovated on the tech front through its proprietary salad-making robots that are poised to roll out soon in the Houston area in the near future.

Coolgreens

Unit count: 10

Investment range: $313,100 to $486,000

Coolgreens was founded in 2009 as a way to fuel healthy lifestyles with quick, fresh and delicious food. Since developing its franchise system in early 2017, the concept has been able to bring its wildly creative menu and wide range of flavorful options—including salads, bowls, sandwiches, wraps and flatbreads—to communities all over the country.

What you can learn from this brand: The health-focused food segment is less competitive than burgers, pizza or sandwiches, which allows for rapid growth and scalability as the trend toward health consciousness picks up. Coolgreens is at the forefront of that movement, providing options to the 49% of customers that self-identify as “health-oriented eaters” through a growth-oriented approach. 

Freshii

Unit count: 300+

Investment range: $170,000 to $470,500

Freshii was established in 2005 with the goal of capturing the magic of a classic mom-and-pop corner deli by providing the same fresh food, just faster and more accessible. The concept took off, and the brand now operates in more than 85 cities in 20 countries. Freshii helps citizens of the world live better by making healthy food convenient and affordable. The ever-evolving menu of brown rice and quinoa bowls, soups, and salads is designed to keep up with the latest health food trends. 

What you can learn from this brand: Freshii is a prime example of a franchise establishing positive partnerships, including partnerships with Air Canada and Shell to develop new grab-and-go products. The brand has also gone above and beyond on the philanthropic front, donating over 1 million meals as well as funding the development of a school kitchen and garden in Kenya. Every year, Freshii amplifies its impact and celebrates its partnership through Communitii Day, a global one-day initiative that takes place in all of the brand’s restaurants.

Zoup!

Unit count: 100+

Investment range: $386,860 to $576,250

The Zoup! founders opened the concept over 20 years ago with a goal of satisfying the demand for convenient, delicious and nutritious soup. Zoup! offers a fast casual atmosphere with a menu that requires little-to-no preparation so franchisees can focus on customer service and growing their business.

What you can learn from this brand: Zoup! operates within a framework of principles and uncompromisingly high standards that demand the finest ingredients as well as eco-friendly packaging. These standards set the franchise apart from others in the niche soup segment and have contributed to the authenticity of each pot, bowl and cup of soup.

Jamba

Unit count: 900+

Investment range: $238,600 to $504,300

Since opening nearly 30 years ago, Jamba (the ‘Juice’ was dropped after a 2019 rebrand) has become one of the most recognizable brands in the sector on top of being one of the largest smoothie companies in the world. Riding the wave of the health food craze since day one, its most successful stores are located near gyms, grocery stores, and other big-box retailers that make healthy food more accessible for customers.

What you can learn from this brand: Even as big as the brand is, Jamba still looks to expand and make a difference, partnering with franchise owners that are health-conscious, have a desire to expand and wish to inspire healthfulness in their local communities.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Unit count: 700+

Investment: $222,095 to $569,335

Tropical Smoothie Cafe proves the truth of its motto “Eat Better. Feel Better.” through its menu of delicious smoothies, toasted wraps, sandwiches, and bowls made with the freshest produce. Starting in 1997 as a simple Florida smoothie stand, the concept has flourished into one of the biggest smoothie franchises in the country by inspiring a healthy and tropical lifestyle.

What you can learn from this brand: In 2018, the top 50% of all Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s franchisees had average net volumes of $983,500. The company’s willingness to innovate within the fast casual segment and seek out ways to meet growing demand while never sacrificing quality has resulted in huge growth, including opening 110 cafes last year alone.