Zoup Franchise

Zoup! Is...What Everybody Has Been Waiting For!

Zoup! is...the right concept at the right time for the right people. Want to share your passion for quality, healthy, nutritious and fresh fare that is unlike anything else available? Consider a Zoup! Franchise!

Zoup! is...the leading fast-casual soup restaurant concept - defining the category with its award-winning soups, salads, and sandwiches served in a casual, comfortable setting.

Zoup! is...a franchise opportunity that works well because of its simplicity, and an opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind, exciting business that has a proven record of success. With the same Everything Matters philosophy that ensures quality, satisfaction and convenience for our customers, Zoup! has created the infrastructure, systems and support programs that give franchisees the tools they need to build their own successful businesses.

Weve Cooked Up Soup Into a MealAnd a Dynamic Restaurant Concept

The idea for Zoup! began to take shape at the same time the companys founders were hard at work building their first soup-related food service business . That original company which manufactured and distributed wholesale soup and spice products gave the partners kitchen-door access to some of the top chefs and managers at hundreds of restaurants. And, it gave the two the chance to confirm what they suspected all alongthat there was a strong demand in the marketplace for the kind of authentic, hand-crafted, fresh soups that customers love to eat, but seldom cook for themselves.

Encouraged by the enthusiasm of the many chefs they spoke to -- and armed with their industry experience (and intense love of soup) the founders teamed up with a talented chef who understood their aspirations and believed in the strength of their concept. Then, they got to work on the careful trial-and-error process that involved hundreds of recipes, and weekly focus group tastings in which scores of participants completed formal evaluations of each potential recipe.

It was this two year process that, ultimately, yielded Zoup!s hundreds of exclusive soup recipes, and that made way for the companys category-defining fast-casual concept. And, with this important piece of the puzzle in place, the partners sold their original business and turned their attentions full0time to rolling out the Zoup! concept.

A Great Industry to be Part of

Todays restaurants are benefiting from a long-term trend toward eating out. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, consumption of food away from the home accounted for 46.1% of total food expenditures in 2002 up from 44.6% in 1990 and 26.3% in 1960.

This trend is being fueled by factors that are likely to continue, including:

• A significant decline in the cost difference between dining out and cooking at home. According to 2002 estimates reported in Investors Business Daily, the average price of a restaurant meal was only 25% more than what its ingredients would cost if purchased in a supermarket.
• Americans have less free time than ever. More than 50% of U.S. families had two income earners in 2002, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And, in many families, both parents hold full-time jobs. Clearly, this leaves less time to prepare meals at home and makes dining out the most convenient option.
• The steady growth in disposable income. With the aging of the baby boom generation, the countrys population will become older and wealthier, and quite able to support restaurant growth for many years. The National Restaurant Association estimates that by 2010, total sales in the restaurant industry will exceed $577 billion. At that time, consumers will spend 53% of every food dollar on meals, snacks, and beverages prepared away from home.

Why Invest in Zoup!?

Zoup! is a direct response to growing customer demand for fresh and healthy meals served in a casual, comfortable setting. Advantages of being a Zoup! Franchisee include:

• An exciting food franchise concept that is still new in nearly all markets, but that is proven to stand the test of time.
• Access to effective and marketable brand identity material.
• Zoup!s Leadership Teams commitment to your success and the tangible, top-quality tools and support youll need to open, operate and grow your business.
• No Previous Industry Experience is Required

With Zoup!, youll get the operational support you need, every step of the way. Through our effective Z!Track pre-opening program; computer-based instruction; and hands-on, intensive training courses, franchisees receive all the support needed for a smooth store opening. Once open, our state-of-the art, online management program Z!Net provides the powerful accounting, management and operating resources youll need to run a successful business. Z!Net does it all!

Here are some of the specific areas in which youll receive support:

• Site selection
• Lease negotiation
• Store design and construction
• Staff hiring and training
• Product and recipe use
• Supplier relationships and buying power
• Marketing and promotion
• Point-of-sale technology
• Ongoing operational support

Turn-Key Marketing Programs Help You Reach Out to Customers

We help you attract and retain customers with professionally prepared marketing materials and powerful brand-building programs, including daily e-mail program, point-of-purchase materials, public relations guidance and print advertising library.

Note: Zoup! is not currently accepting inquiries from outside the USA or Canada.