Nautical Bowls Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Nautical Bowls serves acai and superfood bowls, offering healthy and delicious meal options with fresh ingredients.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

?

62
+
1450%
1450%
Franchise fee

?

$39,500
Investment

?

$222,000 - $409,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$440,000

+
n.a.
n.a.

Nautical Bowls is a vibrant and rapidly growing franchise that specializes in offering a diverse range of nutritious and delicious acai bowls and smoothie bowls. Founded in 2017 in Minnesota, Nautical Bowls was established with a vision to provide health-conscious consumers with high-quality, fresh, and customizable bowl options.

Headquartered in Edina, Minnesota, the franchise has quickly made a name for itself in the fast-casual dining sector. The company began franchising in 2020, marking its expansion from a single location to a broader network of franchises across the United States.

Nautical Bowls differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on a unique blend of premium, locally sourced ingredients and a commitment to sustainability. Their menu features a variety of options that cater to different dietary preferences, including vegan and gluten-free choices, setting them apart in a crowded market.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount Low Amount High
Initial Franchise Fee $39,500 $39,500
Lease Security Deposit $3,000 $20,000
Rent $2,000 $7,000
Architect and Permitting Fees $12,500 $20,000
Water, Sewer, and Municipality Impact Fees $0 $20,000
Leasehold Improvements $103,000 $203,000
Signage $6,000 $14,000
Fixtures, Furniture, and Equipment $32,000 $40,000
POS System $1,000 $2,500
Back Office Computer Hardware and Software $1,000 $1,000
Smallwares, Uniforms, and Initial Supplies $2,750 $3,250
Utility Deposits $500 $600
Professional Services $2,500 $5,000
Initial Inventory $7,500 $8,000
Insurance $2,000 $3,000
Training Expenses $1,000 $2,500
Grand Opening Advertising $1,000 $5,000
Additional Funds – Three months $5,000 $15,000
Total $222,250 $409,350
Type of Expenditure Amount Low Amount High
Initial Franchise Fee $39,500 $39,500
Lease Security Deposit $3,000 $20,000
Rent $2,000 $7,000
Architect and Permitting Fees $12,500 $20,000
Water, Sewer, and Municipality Impact Fees $0 $20,000
Leasehold Improvements $103,000 $203,000
Signage $6,000 $14,000
Fixtures, Furniture, and Equipment $32,000 $40,000
POS System $1,000 $2,500
Back Office Computer Hardware and Software $1,000 $1,000
Smallwares, Uniforms, and Initial Supplies $2,750 $3,250
Utility Deposits $500 $600
Professional Services $2,500 $5,000
Initial Inventory $7,500 $8,000
Insurance $2,000 $3,000
Training Expenses $1,000 $2,500
Grand Opening Advertising $1,000 $5,000
Additional Funds – Three months $5,000 $15,000
Total $222,250 $409,350

Franchise Disclosure Document

Create an account to access and download this FDD. For more information, see our plans here.

Number of units

Training 

Nautical Bowls Franchise provides comprehensive training designed to ensure franchisees are well-prepared to successfully operate their locations. The training program includes:

  1. Initial Training: Franchisees receive hands-on training at Nautical Bowls' headquarters or a designated training facility. This includes instruction on daily operations, food preparation techniques, and customer service standards.
  2. Operational Support: Training covers the operational aspects of running a Nautical Bowls franchise, including inventory management, equipment use, and quality control procedures.
  3. Marketing and Sales: Franchisees are trained on marketing strategies and sales techniques to effectively promote their franchise and attract customers. This includes guidance on local marketing campaigns and leveraging social media.
  4. Ongoing Support: Nautical Bowls offers ongoing support through regular updates, refresher courses, and access to a network of fellow franchisees. This ensures that franchisees stay current with industry trends and operational best practices.

Territory Protection

Nautical Bowls franchise offers territory protection to its franchisees. This means that once a franchisee is awarded a territory, no other Nautical Bowls franchise can be established within that area, ensuring a level of exclusivity and reducing market competition among franchisees.

This approach helps franchisees build and maintain a strong local presence without the concern of nearby competing locations.

The territory protection is designed to support franchisees in achieving long-term success by providing a dedicated market area where they can focus their marketing efforts and build a loyal customer base.

Competitors

Below are some of

Nautical Bowls

key competitors in the

Healthy

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

62

New
+
1450%
1450%

$39,500

$222,000

$409,000

n.a.

$440,000

$xxx,xxx

68.0%

xx%

n.a.

18.1%

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen is a fast-casual Mediterranean franchise offering falafel, hummus, shawarma bowls, and pitas, serving health-conscious guests including vegan and gluten-free diners, and known for bold spices, customizable meals, and vibrant, market-fresh ingredients.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$234,000 - $753,000

Oakberry Store

Oakberry Store is a health-focused fast-casual franchise offering organic açaí bowls and smoothies, serving on-the-go customers seeking nutritious options, and known for customizable bowls, streamlined small-format stores, and a rapidly expanding global footprint in more than thirty-five countries.

Franchisees

?

24
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$65,000 - $300,000

Dirt Juicery

Dirt Juicery is a health-focused juice-bar franchise offering cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies and nutrient-dense bowls, serving wellness-oriented customers and active locals, and known for organic ingredients, plant-based menus, bright interiors and a community-driven approach to everyday nourishment.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$162,000 - $270,000

Sip Fresh

Sip Fresh is a beverage franchise offering handcrafted fruit-based juices, teas, and bowls, serving mall shoppers and health-conscious guests, and known for vibrant displays, interactive ordering, and freshly prepared drinks highlighting real fruit, bold flavors, and an engaging in-store experience.

Franchisees

?

1
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$234,000 - $421,000

Bowl Boss Acai

Bowl Boss Açaí is a health-food-café franchise offering customizable acai bowls, smoothies and wellness snacks, serving health-conscious consumers and casual café guests, and known for premium ingredients, modern décor and strong franchise scalability.

Franchisees

?

5
+
400%
400%
Investment

?

$107,000 - $559,000

Tru Bowl Superfood Bar

Tru Bowl Superfood Bar is a health-food café franchise offering açaí bowls, juices and customizable wellness meals, serving health-conscious consumers and casual café guests, and known for modern branding, efficient service and appealing studio-style footprint.

Franchisees

?

13
+
333%
333%
Investment

?

$205,000 - $332,000

Our latest newsletters

Franchising 101

Is This Franchise the Right Fit for You?

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.

Franchisee Validation: Interviews, Reference Checking, Site Visits

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.

How to Evaluate a Franchise Opportunity (Industry, Brand Strength, Market Fit)

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.

Building a Franchise Business Plan & Pro Forma Financials

December 15, 2025
Costs, Fees and Financing

A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.