Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum, left, shown with Everbowl founder Jeff Fenster, has signed a deal to open five Everbowls in the Boston market.
Launched in 2016 and only franchising since 2019, Everbowl has managed to pack a lot of highlights into its relatively short existence.
The California-based acai bowl brand has grown to 83 locations in 16 states while inking strategic partnerships with superstar athletes Drew Brees and Jayson Tatum and serial entrepreneur and social media icon Gary “Vee” Vaynerchuk.
Everbowl and founder Jeff Fenster are now ready to write the next chapter for the young but busy business with the launch of sister company WeBuild Stuff that will serve as the exclusive provider of furniture, fixtures and equipment for all Everbowl stores.
“The launch of the WeBuild Stuff represents the next exciting chapter for us and a game-changer for our franchisees,” Everbowl President Trevor Sacco said.
Erik Hansen, chief operating officer and president of Everbowl’s new construction business, said keeping the case work, fabrication and installation within the company will help control costs, maintain brand identity within the design and “allow for unmatched speed and efficiency” to market.
He said WeBuild Stuff will also offer Everbowl franchisees the option of a full, turnkey buildout from lease signing to opening.
Everbowl President Trevor Sacco at this month’s International Franchise Association Convention in Phoenix.
The goal is to have the new pre-fab metal-framed units built, delivered and opened for business within 18 months of ordering, said Sacco. He noted Everbowl’s new vertical construction and manufacturing business will lower the average cycle time for franchisees by as much as 30 percent while decreasing the buildout costs for new locations by as much as 25 percent.
The investment for an Everbowl store ranges from $133,899 to $356,843, according to the company’s franchise disclosure document.
Sacco said other brands have already taken notice of the manufacturing capabilities of WeBuild Stuff. “So much so, that a separate entity, WeBuilt Global LLC, has been developed and will launch soon to handle full FFE for concepts including Wing Zone, Capriotti’s, Stretch Zone, Big Chicken and other brands,” he said, using the abbreviation for furniture, fixtures and equipment.
The launch of WeBuild follows a series of other Everbowl news. This week, the company announced that NBA All-Star and Boston Celtics forward Tatum signed a five-unit deal to open Everbowl locations in the Boston metro with his first stores scheduled to open this year. Tatum will incorporate his line of vegan gummy candies, “Small Wins,” into Everbowl’s selection of better-for-you, grab-and-go menu options, a company spokesperson said.
Tatum is the second superstar athlete to sign a multi-unit deal with Everbowl. Last year, Super Bowl champion and legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees announced he was again expanding his partnership with the brand, from a 60-unit agreement signed in 2021 to the formation of EB Masters Group with area representative Alex Yeater to develop 150 total stores across 13 states.
Related story: Inside Drew Brees’ Customer-First Franchise Investment Formulag
Everbowl also recently partnered with Vaynerchuk as the nationwide franchisee launch partner for his new NFT brand, VeeFriends, said Sacco. Starting March 4 at all Everbowl locations, customers will be able to purchase a non-fungible token and use it in the VeeFriends machine to get one of his collectible characters.
Meanwhile, Everbowl is busy testing new menu items and converting to a new ordering system, Sacco said.
Everbowl has 83 locations in 16 states.
“Since June of last year, we have been opening our locations with what we are calling our new 2.5 design and order flow,” he said. “Previously, guests would order our bowls first and pay at the end of the line, but by reversing this flow where you pay first, we have seen faster ticket times, improved average check, a reduction in guest friction and an improvement” to cost of goods sold because the point-of-sale system is able to capture all the menu modifiers.
“We have about 25 percent of the system on the new design and plan on retrofitting 35 existing locations this year,” Sacco said.
Everbowl’s president said the company is also testing new savory food items, including a line of toast offerings with plant-based toppings and superfoods for late spring and early summer launches. It is also developing its beverage program with expanded smoothie offerings, refreshers and cold brew.
“We believe that by adding a savory line to our menu we will increase our average check, drive frequency and appeal to a broader audience,” Sacco said.