SoBol®
What Is SoBol?
SoBol is a restaurant franchise serving a menu of fresh, made-to-order acai bowls, fruit bowls, fruit smoothies and other healthy menu items. The business operates through on-premises dining, carryout, and delivery service channels. Restaurants are ordinarily located in high-traffic retail commercial locations, including strip shopping centers.
SoBol Franchise: Pros and Cons
The franchise's most notable strength is a spotless legal and regulatory record-0 disclosed lawsuits, 0 government penalties, and 0 fraud cases-far below typical food and beverage numbers; its biggest risk is a high number of reacquired outlets (4), which suggests above-average operator turnover you should investigate.
Pros
Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
SoBol reported no material legal proceedings,
Territory Protection
SoBol grants a protected Designated Territory (typically a one-mile radius adjusted for market density or mall boundaries) that prevents other franchise openings provided you are not in default, contingent on meeting performance quotas. Franchisor retains rights to develop nearby units and to sell via e-commerce and other alternative channels.
Training & Support
The brand provides a robust 77-hour training curriculum designed to prepare the two individuals included in the initial franchise fee for operational roles within the franchise. The program includes on-site launch support to facilitate operational readiness, with on-site assistance available at additional cost and travel and living expenses borne by the franchisee.
Franchisee Stability
SoBol earns a Good Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 3.05% falls below the typical Food & Beverage franchise, which reports turnover of around 5.4%. Out of 5 total exits, ceased operations dominated with 5, alongside no terminations, no non-renewals, and no franchisor buybacks.
The dominance of ceased operations suggests location-level economics: operators likely chose to close because specific sites underperformed, rather than exits driven by franchisor enforcement or contract disputes. That pattern points you toward local sales, rent, and competition issues; review store-level performance, local marketing, and the speed of recovery after slow periods. This assessment rests on about 63 franchised outlets in the most recent year, so local patterns are visible but continued monitoring as the system grows is sensible. Prospective buyers should examine unit-level economics in the geographies where closures have concentrated.
Unit Growth Analysis
The franchise grew from 57 units in 2022 to 65 in 2023 (+14.0%), then stayed at 65 in 2024 (0.0% growth), indicating a sharp expansion year followed by a complete plateau. For investors, the 14 percentage-point drop in year-over-year growth (from +14.0% to 0.0%) suggests the brand is stable at 65 units but has lost expansion momentum-investigate franchisee pipeline, market saturation, or strategic pause before expecting further unit growth.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a SoBol Franchise?
Opening a SoBol franchise requires a total initial investment of $195,600 to $453,200, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.
Minimum Investment
Maximum Investment
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Maximum Investment Breakdown
Investment Analysis
This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.
The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
How Much Do SoBol Franchise Owners Make?
SoBol franchise locations reported average gross sales of $594,632 and median gross sales of $612,241 in 2024, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SoBol a good franchise to own?
Whether SoBol is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2024 FDD: SoBol operates 65 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 54/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Is a SoBol franchise worth the investment?
The value of a SoBol franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $195,600 to $453,200. SoBol disclosed average gross sales of $594,632 in 2024. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.
How long does it take to break even with a SoBol franchise?
Break-even timelines for SoBol franchises are not disclosed in the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.
Is SoBol a franchise or a corporate-owned business?
As of the 2024 FDD, SoBol operates 63 franchised locations and 2 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.
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