Playa Bowls set to open first of 160-plus Canadian locations
Playa Bowls is gearing up to make its debut outside of the United States.
The New Jersey-based superfruit bowl chain will open its first location in Canada through a partnership with development group Eat Up Canada Inc. The 1,700-sq.-ft. shop will open this spring at The Well, an indoor-outdoor mixed-use development in Downtown Toronto, marking Playa Bowls’ first international shop.
The Canada debut is part of Playa Bowls’ recently announced master franchise agreement with Eat Up Canada, led by industry veterans George Heos and Alex Gerzon. The pair previously built a 50-unit Firehouse Subs portfolio in Canada and are currently leading the expansion of Pokeworks in the market through their Eat Up Canada platform.
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Eat Up Canada plans to develop more than 160 Playa Bowls locations across Canada in the coming years, establishing the brand in key markets before expanding through franchising. Earlier this month, Playa Bowls said it was on track to open 20 new locations in the first quarter.
“Expanding into Canada is a major milestone for Playa Bowls, and launching our first international location in a world-class city like Toronto is a strong way to begin that next chapter,” said John Cappasola, CEO of Playa Bowls. “George, Alex, and the Eat Up Canada team bring deep experience building restaurant brands in the Canadian market, and we have tremendous confidence in their ability to grow Playa Bowls in a way that preserves the authenticity, culture, and guest experience that define our brand.”
Founded in 2014, Playa Bowls operates nearly 400 shops in 30 states. The chain’s menu includes over 40 items, including the bright flavors of acai, pitaya, green and coconut bowls alongside oatmeal bowls, juices, smoothies and cold brew.
In the fall of 2024, Playa Bowls was acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners for an undisclosed amount.
“Canada has one of the most sophisticated restaurant markets in North America, and consumers here quickly recognize concepts that feel authentic and distinctive,” said George Heos, co-founder of Eat Up Canada Inc. “When we first experienced Playa Bowls, what stood out immediately was the energy around the brand. Playa Bowls brings a fresh perspective to the fast-casual space, and we’re excited to introduce something that feels both new and culturally relevant.”
