Playa Bowls: Riding the Wave of Superfruit Innovation

Playa Bowls is a vibrant franchise brand known for its fresh and flavorful superfruit bowls and smoothies. Drawing from the essence of coastal living, the concept brings the taste of summer to customers year-round through a selection of açaí, pitaya, and coconut-based creations.

The brand's journey began as a humble pop-up stand in Belmar, New Jersey, the result of surf enthusiasts Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor’s inspiration from tropical destinations.

Officially launching its franchising program in 2016, the company continues to operate from its headquarters in Belmar, New Jersey. Its expansion is rooted in a commitment to health, wellness, and eco-conscious practices.

What sets Playa Bowls apart is its laid-back beach vibe combined with a strong focus on sustainability. The brand uses environmentally friendly materials in its stores and delivers a product line centered

Training

Playa Bowls provides a structured set of training programs to equip its franchisees and their teams with the knowledge and skills required to operate a successful shop. These programs include:

1. Initial Training Program
   Up to three individuals—typically the franchisee, the General Manager, and one additional person—must complete a mandatory two-week training course. This training is conducted at Playa Bowls’ headquarters, an affiliate location, or another designated site, and covers areas such as operations, philosophy, and point-of-sale systems.
2. On-Site Opening Assistance
   Upon request or at the franchisor’s discretion, Playa Bowls may send a representative to the new shop for up to seven days of pre-opening and opening support. This hands-on training ensures that the shop launches smoothly, although the franchisee is responsible for the representative’s travel and lodging costs.
3. Remedial and Additional Training
   During the life of the franchise, additional on-site training may be offered if needed or requested. Franchisees must cover associated per diem fees and trainer expenses, making it a flexible yet franchisee-funded support option.
4. Refresher Courses and Franchisee Meetings
   Playa Bowls may require attendance at refresher training sessions or annual franchisee meetings to introduce system updates or new products. These events may be mandatory, and franchisees bear the costs for travel, meals, and lodging.

Territory Protection

Playa Bowls provides franchisees with a designated territory for their shop, referred to as the "Designated Territory." Within this area, the franchisor agrees not to establish or authorize another shop operating under the Playa Bowls brand, as long as the franchisee complies with the terms of the agreement.

However, this protection applies only to traditional shop locations and may not extend to non-traditional sites like malls or airports.

Despite granting a Designated Territory, Playa Bowls retains several rights that can limit the practical exclusivity of this protection. The franchisor may still sell or distribute products through other channels—including online platforms, third-party retailers, and foodservice providers—that reach into a franchisee's territory.