Established
1978
Franchise Units
45
Minimum Investment
$500,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$1,500,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Souper Salad franchise represents a refreshed and highly relevant fast-casual dining concept built around freshness, value, and everyday comfort food. Known for its unlimited buffet-style experience featuring soups, salads, baked potatoes, pasta, fruit, desserts, and more, Souper Salad has earned a loyal following across generations of American consumers.
Positioned at the intersection of value dining, family-friendly restaurants, and health-conscious eating, Souper Salad offers a flexible menu that adapts easily to regional preferences, seasonal ingredients, and evolving consumer trends. In a market where customers increasingly seek affordable, customizable meals without sacrificing quality, Souper Salad stands out as a brand that delivers variety, consistency, and strong perceived value.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Souper Salad offers franchisees a compelling balance of brand recognition, operational simplicity, and broad consumer appeal.
• Established brand with decades of customer trust and nostalgia
• Broad demographic reach including families, seniors, students, and working professionals
• Buffet and fast-casual hybrid model encourages repeat visits and higher dwell time
• Strong positioning in value dining during economic cycles
• Menu flexibility supports food cost control and local market adaptation
• Ideal for inline retail, freestanding units, and high-traffic suburban locations
• Scalable model suitable for single-unit and multi-unit expansion
Background
Established Year: 1978
Souper Salad was founded in Dallas, Texas, with a simple yet powerful idea: offer fresh, wholesome food in an all-you-can-eat format at a price point that appeals to everyday diners. The concept quickly gained popularity throughout the southern and western United States, expanding into shopping centers, suburban corridors, and family-oriented neighborhoods.
Over the years, the brand became widely recognized for its signature soup selections, extensive salad bar, baked potatoes, pasta dishes, and dessert options, all served in a relaxed, casual environment. After restructuring and a strategic brand relaunch, Souper Salad has returned with a renewed focus on franchising, updated operations, and a growth-oriented mindset.
Founders: David Davoudpour
Ownership: Private ownership under a revitalized restaurant group
Franchise Active Units (USA): 45+
Market Presence: United States
Industry Category: Casual Dining / Buffet / Fast-Casual Restaurant
Support Training
Souper Salad provides franchisees with comprehensive support designed to reduce startup risk and support long-term success.
Pre-Launch Support
• Site selection guidance and demographic analysis
• Lease review support and layout planning
• Store design standards and equipment specifications
• Vendor sourcing and supply chain integration
• Pre-opening marketing strategy and launch planning
Training & Operations
• Hands-on initial training covering food prep, operations, and safety
• Management and staff training programs
• Standardized operating procedures and recipe systems
• POS systems and inventory management guidance
• Food cost controls and labor optimization strategies
Marketing & Brand Support
• National and regional marketing direction
• Local store marketing playbooks
• Digital marketing guidance and promotional calendars
• Brand-approved advertising materials
• Grand opening and re-launch campaign support
Ongoing Support
• Dedicated franchise support team
• Operational audits and performance reviews
• Menu innovation and seasonal updates
• Continued training and leadership development
• Ongoing system improvements and best-practice sharing
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Souper Salad franchisee is a hands-on or semi-absentee owner with a strong appreciation for hospitality, systems, and team leadership.
Best Suited For:
• Restaurant operators and multi-unit franchise owners
• Entrepreneurs seeking a proven, value-driven concept
• Investors with food service or retail management experience
• Operators passionate about customer service and community engagement
Key Traits:
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Ability to follow proven systems and brand standards
• Financial capability to support startup and early operations
• Commitment to maintaining food quality and guest experience
Location Preferences:
• Suburban and family-oriented trade areas
• High-traffic retail centers and shopping plazas
• Markets with strong lunch and dinner demand
• Areas with schools, offices, and residential density
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | $500,000 – $1,500,000 |
| Build-Out & Infrastructure | $250,000 – $700,000 |
| Equipment & Fixtures | $150,000 – $350,000 |
| Initial Marketing Budget | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Working Capital | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Royalty Fees | ~4% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fees | As per system requirements |
