I’m sticking with my prediction and reasoning that soup focused franchises such as Simply Soup Co., Zoup, and San Francisco Soup Co. will be one of the fastest growing QSR segments.
My favorite soup is Butternut Squash, by the way 
Related:
- soup posts at Franchise Pundit
- Insightful articles about Zoup: article 1, article 2
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Ryan is an attorney and valuation specialist residing in Chicago. He chronicles his thoughts and research on FranchisePundit.com. You may reach him by email ryanknoll@gmail.com or mobile telephone 312-715-8115.
Interesting analysis. Women especially love soup, though most men I know also enjoy good soup. Soup can certainly be a meal in itself. The fact that your can make the soup early in the day and laddle it all day, greatly lessens prep and kitchen time and expenses.
I know places like Panera Bread and Schlotzsky’s have great soup, don’t you think that’d be just as good with a diverse menu? I see your point that having 15 hearty soups is different than having just 3 soups. Do these soup franchises also serve sandwiches and salads?
I love soup and would eat it for almost every meal if a there was a good place with a wide variety. It can be tasty and quite healthy, except for the cream based soups (but even then you can use soy milk or other thickeners).
I can see it working, but wouldn’t these soup franchises also serve sandwiches and salads? Then what becomes the difference between any other higher end sandwich joint? I guess the soup franchises offer 15-20 soups at a time, enough to satisfy even the most finicky eater.
Are soup franchises a seasonal business? I can’t help but think that the last think I would want to do in Florida in July is eat soup.
I know Zoup is growing by leaps and bounds by me. I think they do a great lunch biz and really have it down with the daily emailed menus and ordering online for fast pickup. They do offer some salads and sandwiches too.
-Bryan
I still think this idea will grow and eventually be acquired by a larger franchisor with better financing resources.
The Soup Man, character from the Seinfeld episode, actually really does exist. NO kidding. Their franchise is called The Orginal Soupman. Do a google on
them and check it out. Check those prices too 30.00 dollars a quart for Lobster Bisque….dunno about that.
I think there is excellent potential for soup as an independent retail business. I’ve been looking into it for a year. I’ve considered finding a chef to help create the soups and doing it myself or buying a franchise. I’ve been to soup places in New York City and while they are pretty good, I think the experience can be even better.
How can you make the experience better?