Café Zupas has grown into one of America’s most admired fast-casual restaurant concepts, offering fresh-made soups, salads, sandwiches, and gourmet desserts served in a vibrant café atmosphere. Known for its health-conscious yet flavorful menu, Café Zupas bridges the gap between quick service and casual dining, appealing to professionals, families, and health enthusiasts alike. Its focus on in-house preparation, chef-inspired recipes, and premium ingredients has positioned it as a leading contender in the $300 billion fast-casual restaurant industry.
For entrepreneurs looking to invest in a franchise that combines consistent growth with modern appeal, the Café Zupas franchise model stands out. With over 70+ locations across the U.S. and steady expansion plans, it continues to attract multi-unit investors and first-time franchisees seeking a strong return on investment (ROI).
This comprehensive guide breaks down the Café Zupas franchise cost, fees, profit margins, and financial outlook, helping you decide if it’s the right opportunity for your business goals in 2025.
Café Zupas has redefined fast-casual dining by emphasizing scratch-made meals prepared with fresh ingredients daily. Unlike traditional quick-service chains that rely heavily on prepackaged or processed food, Café Zupas operates its kitchens like true cafés — roasting, chopping, and cooking in-house.
Each menu item is crafted for freshness and quality, including signature soups made from slow-cooked stocks, hand-whisked dressings, and warm sandwiches pressed to order. Customers enjoy the café’s signature combo meals, pairing hearty soups with crisp salads and artisan sandwiches — creating a balanced, wholesome dining experience.
The restaurant’s modern interior design, digital ordering kiosks, and efficient layout have further enhanced its customer experience. By blending technology with personal service, Café Zupas appeals to both dine-in and takeout audiences while thriving in high-traffic suburban and urban centers.
Investing in a Café Zupas franchise is about aligning with a proven brand that’s built on operational excellence, high consumer demand, and a scalable model. The franchise appeals to investors for several reasons:
1. Growing Market Demand
Americans are spending more on fast-casual dining than ever before, driven by health trends and convenience. Café Zupas has captured this market by offering fresh, chef-driven meals that meet both taste and nutrition preferences.
2. Distinct Brand Identity
Unlike many fast-casual competitors, Café Zupas maintains control over ingredient sourcing and in-house preparation, which results in superior food quality and customer loyalty.
3. Strong Unit Economics
Franchisees benefit from strong average unit volumes (AUVs), high customer retention, and diverse revenue streams from catering, takeout, and online orders.
4. Comprehensive Support System
Café Zupas provides full-scale operational and marketing support from site selection to grand opening, reducing startup risks for new franchise owners.
5. Expanding National Footprint
With its roots in Utah and a growing presence across the U.S., Café Zupas continues to target high-growth markets, offering exclusive territories for qualified investors.
6. Strong Brand Reputation
Its reputation for quality, consistency, and fresh dining experiences has earned Café Zupas a loyal following and positive franchise recognition nationwide.
Founded: 2004
Founders: Rob Seely and Dustin Schulthies
Headquarters: Midvale, Utah
Franchise Launch Year: 2018
Industry: Fast-Casual Restaurant (Soups, Salads, Sandwiches)
Number of Locations: 70+ (and expanding across the U.S.)
Café Zupas began as a small neighborhood restaurant in Provo, Utah, with a mission to make healthy, affordable meals accessible to everyone. The founders emphasized the use of real ingredients and culinary craftsmanship, preparing everything fresh each day. Their innovative approach quickly gained attention, leading to regional expansion and eventually a nationwide presence.
Today, Café Zupas is known for offering a balanced menu featuring handcrafted soups, sandwiches, salads, protein bowls, and house-made desserts — creating a unique niche between traditional fast-food and sit-down restaurants.
The company’s consistent growth, operational innovation, and focus on sustainability have made it an attractive franchise option for investors looking for long-term profitability.
Here’s an estimated breakdown of what it costs to open a Café Zupas franchise in the USA:
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $39,000 |
| Initial Investment (Total) | $600,000 – $1,100,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $250,000 – $500,000 |
| Equipment & Fixtures | $120,000 – $250,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening | $20,000 – $30,000 |
| Working Capital | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fee | 2% of gross sales |
| Average Unit Sales (AUV) | $1.2M – $2M annually |
| Average Profit Margin | 12% – 18% |
| Break-Even Period | 24 – 36 months |
Note: These figures are estimates and vary based on location, lease terms, and market conditions.
Café Zupas franchise owners typically generate strong revenue performance due to high foot traffic and diversified income streams. The combination of dine-in, takeout, catering, and digital orders helps stabilize income across seasons.
Assuming an average unit volume (AUV) of $1.5 million and profit margins between 12–18%, a well-run Café Zupas franchise can net approximately $180,000 to $270,000 in annual profits after operational costs.
Profit drivers include:
Efficient kitchen operations reducing food waste.
Balanced menu pricing with strong upsell potential.
Strong lunchtime and early-dinner demand.
Repeat customer loyalty programs and catering contracts.
Café Zupas maintains a standard fee structure to ensure brand consistency and ongoing support:
Initial Franchise Fee: $39,000
Royalty Fee: 6% of gross revenue
Marketing Contribution: 2% of gross revenue
Renewal Fee: Applicable at end of franchise term
These fees cover national advertising, ongoing support, R&D, and system improvements.
Café Zupas locations generally perform best in suburban shopping centers, mixed-use developments, and urban retail corridors with high lunch and dinner traffic.
Key performance metrics include:
Average Check Size: $12–$15 per guest
Customer Retention Rate: 65% repeat visits
Catering Share of Revenue: 10–15%
Digital Sales: Up to 25% of total revenue through mobile and delivery platforms
These numbers highlight a well-balanced, high-performing franchise that benefits from operational efficiency and strong brand equity.
Café Zupas continues to expand strategically across the U.S., focusing on high-growth regions with strong demographics for fast-casual dining. Target markets include:
Texas
Florida
Arizona
Colorado
North Carolina
Midwest suburbs and college towns
Its measured growth ensures franchisees receive ample support, protected territories, and marketing resources to maximize profitability.
Café Zupas also supports multi-unit development agreements, allowing qualified investors to open multiple locations under favorable terms.
Like any franchise investment, Café Zupas has both challenges and strengths.
Challenges:
High upfront investment compared to smaller QSR concepts.
Intensive training requirements to maintain operational quality.
Strong competition in the fast-casual category.
Competitive Advantages:
Distinct brand positioning with real food and house-made recipes.
Proven profitability model with diversified revenue streams.
Strong consumer loyalty and positive brand reputation.
Comprehensive franchisee training and operational systems.
These advantages make Café Zupas a stable long-term investment for experienced operators.
If you’re looking for a premium fast-casual restaurant franchise that blends quality food, modern branding, and steady profitability, Café Zupas offers a compelling opportunity. Its model suits both single-unit operators and investors seeking a scalable business backed by consistent corporate support.
With strong unit economics, dedicated franchise assistance, and a growing national footprint, Café Zupas stands out among leading restaurant franchise options for 2025.
To explore Café Zupas or similar franchise opportunities, visit:
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