Franchise Times Zor Awards - Playa Bowls’ Scalable Franchise Model
Playa Bowls was recently featured in Franchise Times as the winner of the Healthy Lunch category in the publication’s Zor Awards, an annual recognition of standout franchise concepts across the restaurant industry.
The article highlighted several Playa Bowls franchise owners who have successfully built multi-unit operations with the brand, demonstrating why experienced operators are increasingly drawn to the concept.
Among them are Brett and Amy Coleman, who operate five Playa Bowls locations in Ohio and continue to expand after seeing strong performance from their shops. Their first location opened near Ohio State University and exceeded expectations early on.
“It did crazy good from day one,” Brett Coleman said in the article.
The Colemans emphasized that one of the biggest advantages of the Playa Bowls concept is its operational simplicity. Unlike many traditional restaurant concepts, Playa Bowls shops operate without fryers or complicated kitchen equipment. This streamlined format makes training faster and day-to-day operations easier to manage.
Another pair of multi-unit franchise owners featured in the article, Carrie and Josh Ayers, operate six Playa Bowls shops in New Hampshire with a seventh on the way. Carrie noted that the simplified operations allow new team members to become productive quickly.
“We can get a 16-year-old up and running in just a few days,” she said.
The Ayers family has built a growing infrastructure to support their expanding portfolio, including territory management and back-office support as their organization has grown.
Their shops average more than $1.1 million in annual sales, demonstrating the brand’s potential when paired with strong operational leadership and disciplined cost management.
The Franchise Times feature also highlighted Playa Bowls’ rapid system expansion. The brand has grown to more than 400 shops nationwide, driven by strong guest demand for fresh, health-forward dining options.
While the concept benefits from operational efficiency, the franchise owners interviewed emphasized that success still requires engaged ownership.
“Really successful owners are super involved,” Coleman said.
For entrepreneurs interested in the fast-growing “better-for-you” segment of the restaurant industry, the Playa Bowls model continues to attract both new and experienced franchise operators.
Learn more about the Playa Bowls franchise opportunity by visiting the Playa Bowls franchising website and downloading the Franchise Information eBook:
You can also read the full Franchise Times article by clicking here.
