‘Better-for-you’ Superfood Chain Everbowl Sets Sail

The ‘halo’ around grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food continues to expand garnering attention from consumers and private-equity groups creating a platform for continues innovation and growth according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

If you are looking for an example of how to grow your ‘Superfood’ brand you need only to look at how Everbowl has done it according to Johnson with plans to add 45 units after private-equity injection the success clues are right there.

Recently San Diego-based superfood and smoothie chain Everbowl secured $3 million in funding from a Toronto-based private-equity group. The 17-unit Everbowl said the company plans to use the investment from International Franchise Inc., or IFI, a subsidiary of Serruya Private Equity, or SPE, to accelerate growth. By the end of 2019, the company said it plans to open as many as 45 locations.

Jeff Fenster, Everbowl founder and CEO stated “We are thrilled to be working with SPE and IFI to help fuel our growth. They have a proven track record of massive success working with other brands,” … “Our brand identity and company culture remain vital to our success, and we are thrilled that this partnership will allow us to facilitate our expansion, achieve our long-term business goals, while remaining true to our core vision.”

For those of you who do not know; Everbowl launched two years ago as a counter-service shop serving a menu of bowls and smoothies made with superfood bases such as acai, pitaya, graviola and acerola.  Sixteen-ounce smoothies and 24-ounce bowls cost $8 to $9. Everbowl, quickly expanded to 17 locations in Southern California ranging from San Diego to Riverside.

Aaron Serruya, CEO of IFI stated “We’re proud to be a part of a brand that continuously serves high quality, thoughtfully crafted, great tasting treats and snacks that are not only delicious and refreshing, but also good for you,”

Serruya’s other investments include Pinkberry, Yogen Früz and Cold Stone Creamery.  In late 2018, Serruya and London-based Lion Capital LLP bought Global Franchise Group, whose brands include Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Marble Slab Creamery/MaggieMoo’s, Pretzelmaker and Round Table Pizza.

Aaron Serruya and his brother, Michael Serruya, founded the Yogen Früz frozen-yogurt chain in Canada in the mid-1980s. They acquired a controlling interest in Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Kahala Brands Ltd. in 2013, bringing such brands as Cold Stone Creamery and Blimpie under the Serruya umbrella.

They sold Kahala to MTY Food Group Inc., a publicly traded Canadian company, in June 2016 for about $310 million.

Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or a new menu product segment and brand and menu integration strategy.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or twitter.com/grocerant

Superfoods Smoothies Fuel Success at Nekter Juice Bar

The halo of ‘better-for-you’ in the form of superfoods is the foundation for the new electricity fueling sales at Nekter Juice Bar according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Nékter Juice Bar, recently introduced two new energizing and skin-boosting smoothies featuring plant-based collagen and turmeric, two of nature’s most powerful Superfoods according to the companies press release. The new drinks are Dragon Berry Bliss and Turmeric Sunrise smoothies are part of Nékter’s new seasonal menu, which includes the return of fan favorite, Charcoal Vanilla Skoop, and Nékter’s annual Spring 1-Day Cleanse sale.

Steve Schulze, co-founder and CEO, Nékter Juice Bar stated “At Nékter Juice Bar, constant innovation allows us to offer increasingly healthier options for our guests,”… “Our new smoothies incorporate some of the latest and most powerful Superfoods that fuel overall wellness from the inside out.” 

For example Nékter’s new Dragon Berry Bliss smoothie features 100 percent plant-based collagen in a creamy and nourishing blend of blueberries, dragon fruit, banana, orange juice, coconut water, and a touch of agave nectar. Nutritional benefits are also plentiful and include:

·         Collagen—Exclusive plant-based blend with anti-aging benefits that enhances skin, hair and nails and promotes a glow from within.

·         Blueberries—With more antioxidants than green tea, blueberries are packed with Vitamins A, C and E, and also help promote more youthful-looking skin.

·         Dragon Fruit—Improves digestion, and amps metabolism, immunity and energy.

·         Orange—One of the planet’s best sources of Vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant.

·         Banana—Chock full of potassium and an instant source of energy.

The new Turmeric Sunrise smoothie is a refreshingly light and flavorful blend of pineapple, mango, coconut butter and coconut water with a bright touch of lime and zesty turmeric. This smoothie is exceptionally hydrating, and helps fight inflammation and boost immunity. Among the functional nutritional benefits are:

·         Turmeric—One of nature’s most powerful anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, turmeric also adds a tangy flavorful kick.

·         Pineapple—Nicknamed the “natural weight loss food,” pineapple is low-calorie with no fat. Its high Vitamin B content also helps boost energy.

·         Coconut—Naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal, coconut is also extremely hydrating.

·         Lime—Bursting with Vitamin C and antioxidants, lime helps boost immunity, burn fat, and brighten and rejuvenate skin.

What is your new electricity? How do you plan to drive incremental top line sales and bottom line profits according to Johnson; partnerships specifically strategic partnerships will be driving retail success in 2018. Are you looking for a partnership to drive sales?  

Johnson stated “in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply chain and includes such things as digital hand held marketing, local fresh food,  grocerant consultants, urban farming (produce, seafood, etc.), autonomous delivery, better-for-you, cashier-less retail, cash-less payments, delivery, and voice ordering.

So just what is your New Electricity? Success does leave clues www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  is the global leader in grocerant niche business development.  We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities.  Has your company had a Grocerant ScoreCard completed a Grocerant Program Assessment, or new Grocerant niche product Ideation?  Want one?  Call 253-759-7869 Email: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us