New franchise agreement could result in 160 international shops.
By Andrew Carlo
Playa Bowls has officially launched internationally through a deal in Canada.
The superfruit bowl shop franchise announced that it has signed a new master franchise agreement with Eat Up Canada Inc., which plans to open more than 160 shops Playa Bowls currently has more than 300 shops in 27 U.S. states.
George Heos and Alex Gerzon founded Eat Up Canada after decades of restaurant industry experience with brands including the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Boston Pizza, and Recipe brands. The duo have also successfully built a 50-unit Firehouse Subs portfolio in Canada. Additionally, since founding their current business two years ago, they’ve scaled Pokeworks to eight Canadian locations and also developed the MightyBird fast casual concept.
“Playa Bowls is in a fast-growing category with tremendous momentum, and this agreement marks a major step in our strategy to introduce our great-tasting menu full of health conscious options to new markets,” said John Cappasola, CEO of Playa Bowls. “George Heos and Alex Gerzon are exactly the kind of experienced operators we look to partner with; they are proven brand stewards and developers with deep expertise in scaling successful restaurant concepts. From building a 50-unit Firehouse Subs portfolio to spearheading other emerging brands’ entrances into Canada, George and Alex bring the operational excellence, local insights, and passion for growth that align with our values and vision for Playa Bowls’ continued expansion.”
Aside from restaurant development experience, Eat Up Canada also brings a deep understanding of franchising, real estate, operations, supply chain, and marketing to the table.
“Playa Bowls is exactly the kind of high-growth, high-potential brand we look for,” said Heos. “Our team specializes in introducing standout U.S. restaurant concepts to the Canadian market, and Playa Bowls fits that profile perfectly with their proven unit economics and a passionate following. Bringing a leading superfruit bowl brand into our portfolio allows us to tap into the demand for better-for-you dining at a time when consumers are more health-conscious than ever.”
Earlier this year, Playa Bowls celebrated its 300th location in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood and has more than 350 units currently in development across the U.S. Playa Bowls said it is on track to open 90-plus new shops before the end of the year. New markets Playa Bowls is entering include New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Maine, Arizona, and California.
“From the moment we experienced Playa Bowls, we were impressed by the quality of their product, the strength of their design, and the simplicity and scalability of their operational model,” said Gerzon. “We believe Playa Bowls is perfectly positioned for the Canadian market, and we’re excited to bring its vibrant energy and community-focused experience to neighborhoods across Canada.”
To learn more about Playa Bowls and its franchising opportunities, visit https://franchise.playabowls.com/.
