Established
2015
Franchise Units
20
Minimum Investment
$176,000
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Total Investment Range
$348,000
Home Based
No
Description
LeanFeast is one of the fastest-growing healthy meal-prep franchise brands in the United States, known for transforming the way consumers access fresh, convenient, macro-balanced meals made for everyday life. As demand for nutritious, ready-to-eat food surges—driven by busy professionals, fitness-focused customers, families, and health-conscious consumers—LeanFeast has built a strong reputation for offering customizable meals that meet a wide range of dietary preferences including high-protein, low-carb, keto, and balanced lifestyle eating.
The brand stands apart by combining high-quality ingredients, a streamlined ordering system, and an in-store experience that feels friendly, modern, and truly community-driven. Customers can walk in, select proteins, veggies, and carbs in a build-your-own format, or purchase curated meal packs for the week—giving them convenience without sacrificing nutrition.
LeanFeast continues to gain traction nationwide because it fills the gap between meal-prep delivery services and traditional fast-casual restaurants. For franchisees, the model offers low food waste, simplified operations, recurring revenue from weekly meal subscriptions, and a loyal customer base that grows through word-of-mouth.
LeanFeast is more than a healthy food franchise—it’s a lifestyle brand built around sustainability, accountability, and simple eating. For entrepreneurs looking for a scalable business in a booming segment, LeanFeast represents an outstanding opportunity.
Why Invest in the LeanFeast Franchise?
Investing in LeanFeast means stepping into one of the strongest growth categories in the U.S. foodservice sector: healthy, convenient meal prep. Americans are more health-conscious than ever, and the industry continues to shift toward fresh, whole, ready-to-eat meals. LeanFeast is positioned at the forefront of this shift.
Key reasons to invest:
• Explosive Market Demand: The U.S. meal-prep and healthy eating market surpasses $15B+ and is projected to continue expanding as more consumers prioritize clean eating and convenience.
• Recurring Weekly Revenue: Many customers purchase 5–15 meals per week on repeat, creating predictable, stable cash flow.
• Simplified Operations: No fryers, no heavy cooking equipment, minimal staff requirements, and streamlined prep processes.
• Low overhead + high-margin menu engineering: LeanFeast focuses on core proteins, vegetables, and carbs, eliminating menu bloat and complexity.
• Community-driven brand: Strong local presence, loyal customers, fitness partnerships, and grassroots marketing help franchisees scale quickly.
• Great lifestyle business: Limited hours and a clean, efficient environment make operations owner-friendly.
Background
Established Year: LeanFeast was founded in 2015.
Founders: Created by Bryan Grijalva, who started LeanFeast after recognizing the lack of convenient, healthy meal options for busy individuals aiming to maintain an active lifestyle.
Brand Journey & History:
LeanFeast began as a small meal-prep solution in California, quickly earning attention for its transparency, customer-first approach, and no-nonsense approach to nutrition. Its success was rooted in the founder’s personal experience with fitness and healthy eating, which shaped a business model built around customization, simplicity, and trust.
By focusing on consistency and clean food, the brand outgrew its early locations and officially entered the franchising space, expanding its footprint across multiple states. Today LeanFeast has positioned itself as a national player in the elevated meal-prep franchise segment.
Franchise Active Units (Current Number): LeanFeast operates 20+ active franchise units across the United States, with steady expansion in key suburban and high-growth markets.
Market Presence in the USA: The brand is experiencing strong traction on the West Coast, Midwest, and Southern states, with high demand coming from fitness communities, high-income neighborhoods, and urban/suburban mixed zones.
Industry Category: Healthy Meal Prep, Fast-Casual, Nutrition, Health & Wellness.
Support Training
LeanFeast offers a highly structured support system designed to prepare franchisees with every tool needed to succeed from day one. Whether you’re a first-time business owner or an experienced multi-unit operator, the training is detailed, hands-on, and designed for real-world execution.
Pre-Launch Support
• Assistance with site selection using demographic and competitor analysis
• Lease negotiation guidance
• Architectural layout and store design
• Vendor setup, equipment procurement, and build-out support
• Pre-opening operational planning and local marketing strategy
Initial Training
• Comprehensive multi-day training at LeanFeast HQ
• Instruction on food preparation, portion control, and inventory systems
• Hands-on training for POS, customer service, meal customization, and production flow
• Staff hiring and onboarding guidance
Marketing Support
• Grand opening marketing plan
• Local outreach blueprint for gyms, fitness centers, and wellness communities
• Social media content support
• National branding assets and promotional materials
Ongoing Support
• Regular operational audits
• Continuous menu and nutrition development
• Technology updates and POS support
• National partnerships with gyms, trainers, and health communities
• Franchisee success coaching and performance analytics
Ideal Candidate
LeanFeast attracts mission-driven entrepreneurs who believe in healthy living and want to build a business with purpose. However, the franchise is equally approachable for experienced operators looking for a scalable, recurring-revenue model.
The ideal franchisee may have:
• Passion for nutrition, fitness, or wellness
• Strong community-building skills
• A hands-on attitude during the early stages of business
• The ability to lead a small team and deliver exceptional customer service
• Comfort with local marketing, partnerships, and customer engagement
• Financial readiness to invest and scale to multiple units
LeanFeast is especially appealing to:
• Fitness professionals
• Multi-unit restaurant owners
• Health-conscious entrepreneurs
• Individuals looking for a lifestyle business with reasonable hours
Market preference includes high-traffic suburban areas, fitness-focused communities, affluent residential zones, and cities with growing health-conscious populations.
Financial Detail
Below is a detailed breakdown of the typical investment required to open a LeanFeast franchise in the United States. Actual costs may vary by location.
Total Investment Required: $176,000 – $348,000
Minimum Investment Required (Liquid Capital): $75,000 – $100,000
Franchise Fee: $40,000
Royalty Fees: 6% of gross sales
Marketing Fee: 1–2% national marketing contribution
Average Store Size: 1,200 – 1,600 sq. ft.
Infrastructure & Build-Out Cost: $120,000 – $250,000
Equipment Package: $20,000 – $40,000
Initial Marketing Budget: $8,000 – $12,000
Working Capital: $20,000 – $40,000 (first 3 months)
Franchise Units: 20+ and expanding
Expected ROI & Break-Even Time:
Many franchisees report break-even within 12–18 months, depending on location, customer engagement, and operational efficiency.
Revenue Streams:
• Customizable build-your-own meals
• Weekly meal prep subscriptions
• Retail beverages and packaged snacks
• Seasonal meal promotions
• Add-on proteins, sides, and family bundles
• Local gym and corporate partnerships
LeanFeast’s recurring revenue model combined with strong customer loyalty makes it a compelling long-term business with strong margins and scalability.