Playa Bowls passes 400 stores after recording $332 million in sales
The fast-casual restaurant chain started as a New Jersey food cart in 2014 and aims to reach 800 locations.
Playa Bowls has surpassed 400 locations across North America after recording $332 million in total systemwide sales in 2025, according to the Times of India.
The company was founded in 2014 by surfers Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor, who began the business with less than $5,000 using a roadside food cart in Belmar, New Jersey.
The founders developed the concept after discovering superfood fruit bowls while travelling to destinations such as Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico.
The brand offers various bases including açai, pitaya, coconut, chia pudding, and green smoothie blends, which customers can top with fruit, nuts, and sauces.
Following the success of their initial locations, the pair began offering franchises in 2016, focusing on suburban areas, college campuses, and beach towns.
Private equity firm Sycamore Partners acquired a majority stake in the company in 2024 to support operations and supply chain growth.
Dan Rowlands was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in late 2024, while the founders moved into advisory and brand ambassador roles.
The company currently operates in more than 35 US states and has set a target to reach 800 locations by the end of the decade.