Part 1 of this article can be found here.
OAKBERRY Acai Bowls & Smoothies may only have 26 locations in six U.S. states, but the overseas brand, with shops already sprinkled throughout countries such as its native Brazil, Australia, China, United Arab Emirates, France and Spain, is laser focused on expanding in the States at a rate of at least 35 new units per year over the next two to four years. California is especially targeted, with 100 new units expected to open in the state by 2027. Additional expansion will continue in the metros of Florida, Washington, D.C., New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Colorado. To assist with this growth, OAKBERRY hired a new head of business for North America in August, who had previously worked with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.
Expect OAKBERRY to open inline, food court/food hall or kiosk units that average 500 s.f., in Class A shopping centers, outlet malls, upscale regional malls, strip centers and urban street-front sites, including ground-floor units of mixed-use buildings. Sites with strong foot traffic in popular tourist-heavy areas that also attract an active-oriented millennial audience are especially desired. Popular quick-service restaurants such as Crumbl Cookies, Starbucks and Shake Shack, as well as gyms such as Planet Fitness, work well as co-tenants. OAKBERRY is known for its authentic acai bowls and smoothies that are made with organic ingredients.
Rush Bowls plans on opening between 20 and 25 new stores this year, with that number potentially increasing to up to 50 new stores per year for 2024 and beyond. The franchise already has a strong presence covering 22 states throughout all areas of the country, but look for Virginia, Nevada and New Mexico to see their first units by late 2023/early 2024. Additional expansion will take place not only in its home state of Colorado, but also in New York, which will get its first unit in Poughkeepsie by early October, as well as New Jersey and Pennsylvania — two states which both saw their first units over the summer in Livingston and Phoenixville, respectively. Texas, Northern/Central Florida, Oregon and California will also see growth in the near future.
Rush Bowls seeks suburban or urban end cap or inline spaces, ideally with a patio area, between 500 and 1,200 s.f., in premium strip malls, lifestyle centers, open-air neighborhood centers, retail street-front sites or ground-floor units of mixed-use buildings. Secondary and tertiary markets work well for the brand, but primary markets are also considered, especially if the site is within walking distance to a university. Locations can be off Main and Main but should be close to a busy thoroughfare near multifamily developments. Co-tenants can include health and wellness brands that appeal to active adults up to age 50, such as CycleBar and Anytime Fitness. Rush Bowls offers a wide variety of acai bowls and smoothies featuring various fruits, as well as a choice of toppings, including kale, Nutella, avocado, chocolate chips and chia seeds.
Northern California-based Vitality Bowls hopes to open up to 15 new units per year over the next two to three years. Anticipate growth to take place in New Jersey, which is expecting its first unit in the state by the end of this year in Harrison, as well as North Carolina, which had its first unit open in the state in Charlotte in January. Look for Arizona, especially Tucson, and Massachusetts to also be targeted for growth, two states that were first penetrated last year. In addition, the outlying suburban areas of Atlanta, Austin and Sacramento, Calif., are all expecting new units in the near future.
Vitality Bowls prefers inline or end cap units, between 750 and 1,500 s.f., in either community shopping centers, power centers, strip malls or the ground floor of mixed-use buildings. Urban cities, suburban communities or college towns are all sought after. Sites should be near wellness/beauty brands and fitness-oriented retailers, such as Club Pilates, Massage Envy, Ulta Beauty or Dick’s Sporting Goods. Vitality Bowls prides itself on ingredients that contain no trans fats, fillers or preservatives, and its loaded menu includes not just acai bowls with multiple fruit and toppings choices, but also smoothies, salads, wraps and sandwiches.
