PLAYA BOWLS
Playa Bowls franchises fast-casual shops that specialize in acai bowls, pitaya bowls, coconut bowls, mango bowls, oatmeal bowls, smoothies, juices, and other healthy menu items offered for on-premises dining, carryout, catering, and delivery. The business model includes single-unit franchises and multi-unit development agreements for operating shops in high-traffic retail locations, with optional ancillary food trucks, all adhering to the proprietary Playa Bowls system. It targets health-conscious consumers seeking nutritious, fresh bowl-based meals and beverages in competitive fast-casual markets.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
6% royalty + 2% ad fund + up to $450/mo technology fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Data for 188 Operational Franchise Outlets for the 2024 Calendar Year, comprising 166 Traditional Outlets and 22 Seasonal Outlets. The 166 Traditional Outlets include sales from six mobile food trailers. The 22 Seasonal Outlets include sales from one food truck. New Franchise Outlets are not included.
* Calculated weighted average gross revenue: (166 Traditional Outlets × $1,288,433 + 22 Seasonal Outlets × $540,759) / 188 Total Outlets = $1,200,939. Median gross revenue, revenue top quartile, and revenue bottom quartile are taken from the data for 166 Traditional Outlets, as they represent the majority of the operational franchise outlets and no combined figures for all 188 outlets were provided.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How PLAYA BOWLS Compares to Other Fast Casual Franchises
Key Insights
- Lower investment than 79% of Fast Casual franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Fast Casual
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Fast Casual
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PLAYA BOWLS Current | $256K - $1.0M | $35K | 6.0% | 261 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) | $379K - $1.4M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,248 |
| Zaxby's | $1.4M - $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| Qdoba | $548K - $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $532K - $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+10 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for PLAYA BOWLS franchisees (2020 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a PLAYA BOWLS franchise?
The total initial investment to open a PLAYA BOWLS franchise ranges from $255,944 to $1,037,794. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a PLAYA BOWLS franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a PLAYA BOWLS franchise is $1,200,939. The median revenue is $1,235,948.
How many PLAYA BOWLS franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, PLAYA BOWLS has 261 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2016.
Can you get an SBA loan for a PLAYA BOWLS franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for PLAYA BOWLS franchises. Historical data shows 57 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for PLAYA BOWLS franchisees, with an average loan amount of $359,323. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is PLAYA BOWLS a good franchise to buy?
PLAYA BOWLS shows several positive indicators: established brand with 261+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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