QSR Magazine Names Rush Bowls in "The 40/40 List for 2021: America's Hottest Startup Fast Casuals"
"While the pandemic ushered in new demand for indulging comfort foods, it also emphasized the need for Americans to take care of themselves and turn to more nutritious foods, "
Restaurant companies that can bridge those two things - serving healthier items that are craveable - stand the best chance of growing moving forward. Rush Bowls is one such concept and beyond its menu, the brand has an efficient, easily scalable model perfectly tailored for our post-Pandemic retail environment. That's why it was an easy choice for our Top 40 list."
Why Rush Bowls?
Societal Change #1
Even greater attention is being paid to personal health because of COVID-19; by extension that means healthier eating habits.
Societal Change #2
A greater demand for “grab-n-go” products – which is how we have been serving since opening in 2004.
Societal Change #3
Massive reversal of the work force, from office towers to small offices/home offices (SO/HO) in suburban neighborhoods where we are open.
Why Now?
Sites
Commercial real estate is in turmoil, creating opportunities.
Lease Terms
Landlords are more negotiable.
Low Cost Investment
Many fast casual franchise initial investments range between $500,000 to $1 million. With our healthy food franchise, your initial investment will be significantly less; on average, $199,800+.
Store Count and Available Locations
Unavailable: HI, MD, ND, RI, WI
100 more under development
Our Story
2004
Tired of NYC, Andrew Pudalov leaves as head of Derivative Trading at a major Wall Street bank and relocates with his young family to Boulder, CO – a city he had visited as a child and to where he had always wanted to return. Always a heathy eater, he tinkered in his kitchen – equal parts scientist, chef, and creative director- to test and refine the concept we now know as Rush Bowls. Andrew launched his concept by opening a 400 s/f store on “The Hill” - very near the University of Colorado (CU). Andrew and Rush Bowls are instantly successful, with word of mouth causing customer lines to snake out the door.
2008
The recession causes many national brands to fail in Boulder – traditionally one of the most competitive food environments in the country. Despite the upheavals, Rush Bowls continues to thrive, as its craveable products remain a staple of people’s diets. Andrew continues to develop the Rush Bowls menu with innovative new items such as healthy blended fruit bowls and more.
2015
After turning down offers to expand Rush Bowls every year, Andrew decided in 2015 the time was right to offer franchises because he was able to offer a nationwide support network, giving all acai and smoothie franchise owners the necessary advice, counsel, and guidance to succeed.
2020
Andrew celebrates his 16-year anniversary at the same Boulder location – clearly establishing Rush Bowls as a local institution. Franchise growth continues during the COVID pandemic, as our products and business model are perfectly suited for the consequent societal changes.
2023
With 39 locations open and another 100 under development, Rush Bowls is featured on QSR’s 40/40 List of top emerging franchise brands in 2021. We are ranked 6th!
Over The Last 19 Years
Rush Bowls has cultivated a fiercely loyal following and developed a successful blended fruit bowl and acai bowl business model by perfecting the menu and proprietary recipes, processes, vendor relationships and marketing practices. We have a specific vision for where our healthy food franchise is headed, and the types of entrepreneurs we want to partner with in order to make that happen.
Check out the video to learn a little more about us.
From Finance to Fresh Smoothie Bowls: How Andrew Pudalov Overcame Challenges and Franchised a National Concept
Featured On
Andrew Pudalov
Founder & CEO
Rush Bowls is the brainchild of Andrew Pudalov, former Head of a Global Fixed Income Derivative Desk at National Australia Bank. With over 15 years of success with the very first Rush Bowls, he leads a dynamic team and remains hands-on in product development, creating new flavor profiles and managing sourcing.
In the winter of 2015, Andrew partnered with prolific restaurateur, Buddy Brown, one the nation’s most successful franchise operators. Dewey R. “Buddy” Brown has been involved in restaurant operations for over 30 years. When Andrew’s background and success with Rush Bowls joined forces with Buddy Brown, something very special was created.
Over that time, Buddy has won numerous operational awards, most notably: the Founder’s Trophy for Franchisee of the Year in 2002 and 2008; Sales Building award for the largest sales increase in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015; Developer of The Year 2008 and 2015, and was Carl’s Jr. Franchisee of the Year in 2013 and 2015. He also won the 2016 IHFA – William L. Boddie Founder’s Award and the 2017 Wilber Hardee Founder’s Award.
Buddy is one of the world’s most successful franchisees, owning and operates close to 300 Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® restaurants. A successful entrepreneur like Buddy keeps these trade secrets close to the vest, right? Not at Rush Bowls. Co-Founder and Partner, Buddy Brown is ready and willing share his recipe for success with you if you are awarded a Rush Bowls franchise.
Buddy has witnessed the shift in consumer behavior, noting that consumers are now demanding healthier food choices. After researching countless emerging dining concepts, Buddy found Rush Bowls and instinctively knew it would be America’s next addiction. If you too, like Buddy and Andrew, share a similar vision on how the world is changing its eating habits, then we’d like to talk with you!
Our leadership team knows exactly what it’s like to be a Franchise Owner, and perhaps more importantly, how to achieve true success. The combination of the Andrew and Buddy’s experience, and their knowledgeable executive team makes this an incredible ground floor opportunity in the acai bowl franchise space that you don’t want to miss out on!