2025 Fast & Serious Winners: No. 7 Playa Bowls

Each visit to a Playa Bowls is like a mini vacation, said CEO Dan Harmon of the açaí bowl concept with a beachy, surfer vibe. That experience is a critical factor in the brand’s growth as customers get “a brief escape from the day-to-day” and can enjoy a healthy meal option, he said in written comments. “Playa Bowls’ açaí contains 70 percent pulp, compared to about 30 percent in competitors’ products, offering guests greater health benefits,” said Harmon, who joined the company in 2023 after spending several years as Smoothie King’s president and COO. “Plus, our açaí is never blended with other fruits, lowering the sugar content compared to others who rely on additives.” Playa Bowls makes its first appearance on this list, with a three-year sales growth rate of 106.9 percent, from $109 million in 2021 to $225 million in 2023. Unit growth during that span was 88.4 percent as it hit 243 locations. “We’re actively strengthening our internal support teams to ensure franchisees have the resources they need to thrive,” Harmon said. “Additionally, we’ve enhanced our screening process for new franchisees to maintain the high standards that define our brand.” Providing the right support while maintaining consistency in quality and guest experience across locations is the biggest challenge facing the brand, he noted. It’s made strides, such as optimizing the supply chain to ensure timely ingredient delivery and investing in training for franchisees and store-level workers. The brand moved to a new point-of-sale system, he added, and is exploring back-of-house software and other tools to enhance profitability. Private equity firm Sycamore Partners acquired Playa Bowls last year from Tamarix Equity Partners and Pacific General, which owned the brand since July 2021.