Meals of Hope is a purpose-driven franchise that blends entrepreneurship with the fight against hunger. Founded in 2007 in Naples, Florida, it began as a nonprofit organization committed to feeding families in need.

The franchise is still headquartered in Naples and launched its franchising model in 2021, creating opportunities for community-minded individuals to make a difference while running a business.

This franchise focuses on organizing local meal-packing events. Franchisees, known as "Packing Partners," work with schools, churches, and businesses to host events where volunteers pack nutritious meals.

These meals are then distributed to food banks and other charitable organizations across the United States. The model is home-based, requires no inventory, and has low overhead, making it an accessible and flexible opportunity.

What sets Meals of Hope apart is its social impact. Unlike traditional franchises, it uses a "reverse royalty" model—franchisees earn income through events that serve the community. This mission-first approach not only ensures a sustainable business but also directly addresses food insecurity and encourages local involvement.

Training

Meals of Hope provides a comprehensive training framework to equip franchisees with the knowledge and tools required to run their operations effectively. The programs are structured as follows:

1. Initial Training Program: This is mandatory for the principal shareholder, member, or manager of the franchise. Conducted at Meals of Hope’s training facility in Naples, Florida, or another designated site, it is tuition-free for up to two owners and lasts approximately 1-2 days. All related expenses, such as travel, lodging, meals, and salaries, are borne by the franchisee.
2. Training for Additional Personnel: At the franchisee’s request and depending on staff availability, Meals of Hope will train other employees at their headquarters. This training incurs a tuition fee and requires the franchisee to cover all associated costs.
3. Ongoing Training and Refresher Courses: Meals of Hope may require the franchisee and employees to attend up to five days of additional training per year. These sessions, held at a location chosen by the franchisor, aim to reinforce or update skills and knowledge. The franchisee is responsible for tuition and all travel and accommodation expenses.

Territory Protection

Meals of Hope grants its franchisees a defined geographical territory, within which the franchisor agrees not to open or authorize another franchised business using the Meals of Hope system and marks, as long as the franchisee remains in compliance with the agreement.

This designated area, detailed in the agreement's Data Sheet, is intended to protect the franchisee's operational space and customer base. Franchisees must not market, solicit, or conduct events outside of this territory without prior written consent from the franchisor.

However, this territory protection comes with performance conditions. Franchisees are required to meet specific minimum performance metrics annually, such as the number of meals packed.