Zoup! Restaurants Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)
Zoup! is a popular fast-casual dining franchise, widely known for its award-winning soups, as well as its fresh, made-to-order salads and sandwiches. Founded in 1998 in Southfield, Michigan, by former spice traders, Zoup! emerged from their realization of a market need for high-quality, comforting soups.
The first Zoup! restaurant opened in 1998, and the company began franchising in 2003 with its first franchise in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Zoup!’s menu features a daily selection of 12 rotating soups, all accompanied by freshly baked bread.
The menu caters to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-fat, and spicy options. Alongside the soups, Zoup! also offers made-to-order salads and sandwiches, providing a complete and satisfying meal.
What differentiates Zoup! from other fast-casual restaurants is its guiding “Everything Matters” philosophy, which emphasizes attention to detail in every area, from recipe creation to the service experience, ensuring the highest level of quality and customer satisfaction.
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Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Zoup! Restaurants franchise? It costs on average between $498,000 – $713,000 to start a Zoup! Restaurants franchised restaurant.
The initial investment for a Zoup! restaurant includes expenses for construction, equipment, inventory, and initial operating costs. The total amount can vary based on several factors, such as the chosen restaurant format, the location, and whether the franchisee opts to lease or purchase the property.
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Architectural Plan Review | $0 – $1,000 |
| Architectural Fees | $13,500 – $15,500 |
| Permits & License Fee | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $220,500 – $330,000 |
| Equipment | $125,000 – $143,000 |
| Furniture | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Millwork | $11,000 – $15,000 |
| Smallwares | $9,000 – $20,000 |
| Exterior Signage | $7,000 – $14,000 |
| Interior Signage and Graphics | $4,300 – $9,500 |
| Technology Systems | $25,000 – $32,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $15,000 |
| Uniforms, Menu Materials, Office Supplies | $2,000 – $4,500 |
| Travel & Living Expenses While Training | $0 – $7,500 |
| Opening Inventory | $7,500 – $12,000 |
| Insurance | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Additional Funds – 3 months | $15,000 – $35,000 |
| TOTAL | $497,800 – $712,500 |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Zoup! Restaurants franchise? A Zoup! Restaurants franchised restaurant makes on average $576,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
This compares to $612,000 yearly revenue for similar healthy franchises. Below are a few Zoup! Restaurants competitors as a comparison:
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We have compiled the list of the top 400 franchises across 9 industries. Download the report below.
Zoup! Restaurants Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Zoup! Restaurants locations are there?
As of the latest data, Zoup! has 35 franchised units and 1 company-owned unit, bringing the total number of locations to 36.
What is the total investment required to open a Zoup! Restaurants franchise?
The total investment required to open a Zoup! Restaurants franchise ranges from $498,000 to $713,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a Zoup! Restaurants franchise?
For a Zoup! Restaurants franchise, the ongoing fees include a 6% royalty fee on net sales and a 3% contribution to the Brand Development Fund for marketing and advertising. Franchisees are also responsible for local advertising, which is 2% of net sales.
Additionally, a training and customer service fee of 0.5% of gross sales (up to 1%) applies, along with a Technology License Fee of $1,100 to $1,450 per month.
What are the financial requirements to become a Zoup! Restaurants franchisee?
To become a Zoup! Restaurants franchisee, you are expected to have a minimum net worth of $1,000,000 and liquid assets of at least $350,000.
How much can a Zoup! Restaurants franchise owner expect to earn?
The average gross sales for a Zoup! Restaurants franchise are approximately $0.58 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $0.58 million yearly revenue can result in $87,000 EBITDA annually.
Who owns Zoup! Restaurants?
The Zoup! Restaurants franchise is owned by WOWorks, a company specializing in plant-based and health-focused restaurant brands. WOWorks acquired Zoup! in May 2022, expanding its portfolio to include this fast-casual soup and sandwich concept.
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