THE PIONEERS OF PURPLE POWER
NOW SHAPING THE FUTURE OF QUALITY QUICK-SERVE
Founded in 2000, SAMBAZON® pioneered the way Organic and Fair Trade açaí is enjoyed around the world. Now, we’re redefining the quick-serve space with SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls—a best-in-class açaí franchise that puts a fresh, unique twist on the bowl experience.
ABOUT SAMBAZON AÇAÍ BOWLS
What Sets Us Apart
SAMBAZON's quality and sustainability standards have consistently raised the bar, year after year, for more than two decades. We call this our Palm-to-Palm commitment, and it guides every decision we make from sourcing to serving.
It starts in the Amazon Rainforest, where our açaí is wild-harvested and processed in our two eco-friendly, state-of-the-art facilities in Brazil, ensuring unmatched flavor and traceability. It ends in our stores, where we craft bowls and smoothies that make people feel good. Not just because they’re unforgettably fresh and delicious, but because they fuel positive change. To us, açaí isn’t just an ingredient; it’s a source of health, growth, and opportunity.
Our Menu
While our handcrafted açaí bowls steal the spotlight as our #1 seller, we also offer a variety of superfood smoothies and crave-worthy hot items like traditional Brazilian cheese bread, empanadas, and hearty oatmeal bowls. Every açaí bowl is made fresh and topped with high quality ingredients, from gluten-free granola and ripe fruit to nutrient-dense nuts and seeds.
Our Mission
“Since 2000, SAMBAZON’s mission has been to use certified açaí as a vehicle to drive sustainable development in the Amazon Rainforest. What keeps us going is our commitment to supporting the people and wildlife whose livelihoods depend on the health of the Amazon. By creating jobs, promoting wellness, and safeguarding its biodiversity, we’re building a brighter future for generations to come—one delicious açaí bowl at a time.
- Ryan Black, CEO and Co-founder
Our Story
It all started with a surf trip to Brazil in 2000. After their first bite of an açaí bowl, Ryan Black, his brother Jeremy Black, and their friend Ed “Skanda” Nichols knew they had to share this superfruit with the world. They saw an opportunity to create nutritious açaí-based products while championing a socially and environmentally conscious business model. Long before terms like "social responsibility" and “social entrepreneurship” were buzzwords, our founders paved the way by pioneering Organic and Fair Trade certification standards for wild-harvesting açaí, building SAMBAZON on a foundation of doing good.
Our Team
When you join SAMBAZON, you’re not just getting a business opportunity, you’re gaining the support of a passionate team dedicated to your success. We’ve assembled a top-tier support team with deep franchise experience and years of success across development, operations, marketing, and innovation. From day one, we provide you with the tools, insights, and guidance you need to hit the ground running and grow your business to its fullest potential.
FROM COAST-TO-COAST
OUR STORE FOOTPRINT
We opened our flagship SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls store in Cardiff, CA in 2010 and have been spreading Purple Smiles ever since. We didn’t rush to franchise. Instead, we refined our supply chain, grew the market for açaí, and perfected a lean, scalable açaí franchise business model with a clear path to long-term profitability. After more than a decade of laying the groundwork, the market is primed for our expansion. Beyond our flagship location, SAMBAZON has a strong presence in high-traffic, nontraditional venues like airports, universities, and stadiums.
WHY INVEST IN AÇAÍ?
Today’s customers are hungry for more than just food—they want convenient, nutrient-packed options that align with their health goals and fit their busy lives. Enter açaí: a superfood with a unique, crave-worthy flavor and powerhouse health benefits that’s become a go-to favorite. For franchisees, açaí bowls and smoothies are the ultimate win: low labor and operational costs, consistent foot traffic, and a loyal customer base. And with the category still booming, this market is just getting started. Investing in an açaí bowl franchise isn’t just a good idea, it’s a smart move with a future as bright as the purple berry itself.
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Booming Market
A growing audience of health-conscious diners is fueling the rise of açaí, offering untapped potential.
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Low Overhead, High Returns
With low labor costs and high average checks, açaí is a highly profitable category that’s easy to operate and scale.
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Loyal Customer Base
Açaí inspires strong customer loyalty, driving repeat business and steady traffic for franchisees.
WHY INVEST IN SAMBAZON?
As the world’s first Certified Fair Trade and Organic açaí company, no one knows açaí better than SAMBAZON. With over two decades of leadership, we’ve built a legacy as the leading supplier of açaí products, reaching 50+ countries and commanding 50% of the global market. Franchisees benefit from our trusted reputation and proven expertise, giving you a strong foundation for lasting growth and profitability. Joining SAMBAZON means aligning with a respected brand, leveraging decades of expertise, and being part of a mission that’s bigger than business.
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World's Largest Açaí Brand
The original pioneers of purple power with 20+ years of global leadership.
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Proprietary Supply Chain
Guaranteed access and superior pricing to our premium, certified açaí.
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Simple Operations
Consistent quality and a 90-second service time with just two employees.
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Fits Any Space
From 58-sq-ft kiosks to 700-sq-ft storefronts, our stores fit just about anywhere.
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Mission-Driven
Be part of a movement that fuels sustainable development in the Amazon.
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Scalable Growth Model
Strong sales, high margins, and prime U.S. markets ready for growth.
YOUR DELICIOUS POWERS AWAIT
OUR IDEAL OWNER
We’re looking for franchise partners who share our passion for healthier lifestyles and making a positive impact in their communities. Ideal candidates have multi-unit restaurant experience, a desire to open multiple SAMBAZON locations, and a strong passion for the restaurant industry. We also welcome individuals or partnerships with proven business success, strong financial capabilities, and the ability to bring on an operating partner to lead day-to-day operations. If you’re exploring açaí bowls franchise opportunities, SAMBAZON offers the perfect blend of financial growth and meaningful impact.
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Franchising Requirements
- Traditional venues
- Must have 2+ years of executive experience operating a multi-unit foodservice or retail concept
- Have strong operational metrics and referrals from your current franchise system
- Must have net worth of $700,000
- Must have liquidity of $350,000
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Licensing Requirements
- Nontraditional venues (airports, colleges, hospitals)
- Seasoned license partners with restaurant operating experience in large venues
- Must have 2+ years of executive foodservice experience in the business of operating a take-away, sit-down, or quick-service café business similar to our concept
- Must have net worth of $700,000
START-UP COSTS & ROYALTIES
The total investment of a single SAMBAZON store is $380,000-$630,000. This includes a $30,000 one-time initial franchise fee.
- 5% Royalty Fee of gross sales
- 2% Brand Development Fee of gross sales
- 1% Local Marketing Spend of gross sales
INDUSTRY-LEADING TRAINING & SUPPORT
We set you up for success with 10-14 days of SAMBAZON ‘Brand Champion’ training at our Cardiff, CA flagship store, plus additional onsite support from your dedicated operational lead when your store opens. Once you’re up and running, we’ve got your back with ongoing operational support and a strong marketing strategy to promote your store.
INDUSTRY BUZZ
SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls named “one of most unforgettable airport meals around the world” by Condé Nast Traveler.
PARTNER TESTIMONIALS
Don’t just take our word for it. Hear what our license partners have to say about SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls.
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Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Intl. Airport
“The opening of SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls at CVG has been wildly successful. We’re grateful for the partnership—the SAMBAZON team has been wonderful to work with, and our passengers are pleased to have another fresh, healthy, quick-service food option while traveling. My concession team has shared that sales are exceeding expectations.”
- Candace McGraw
Chief Executive Officer, CVG -
University of California, Los Angeles
“Our partnership with SAMBAZON has been a collaborative success! SAMBAZON has helped expand ASUCLA's various restaurant offerings with Fair Trade, Organic açaí while appealing to our diverse customer base across both students and staff. Since SAMBAZON's opening in the heart of the Student Union, the response from Bruins has been overwhelmingly positive!”
- Ari Baron
Director of Marketing, Sales & Promotions, UCLA -
Nova Southeastern University
“Our partnership with SAMBAZON has been a resounding success. From client interactions to customer feedback, our relationship is characterized by reliability, excellent communication, and mutual respect. Their team is consistently dependable and fantastic to work with, always ready to support our needs and align with our mission of promoting healthier lifestyle choices. SAMBAZON’s commitment to sustainability and top-quality products resonates deeply with our community values, garnering high praise and satisfaction from our students and staff.”
- Mike Alkurdi
Resident District Manager, Chartwells & Shark Dining -
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intl. Airport
“We are overjoyed with our partnership with SAMBAZON. It's impressive how quickly we opened the new location at ATL, which speaks to the incredible team at SAMBAZON. The product and speed of service are a perfect fit for our high-volume location. Their responsive team truly understands the complexities of operating in an airport environment and helps to address any hurdles or inefficiencies very quickly.”
- Tran Nguyen
Principle, Verge ATL
FAQs
How much does it cost to open a SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls franchise?
The total investment for a single SAMBAZON store ranges from $380,000 to $630,000, excluding real estate purchase and/or lease costs. A detailed breakdown of this investment is available in Item 7 of our Franchise Disclosure Document.
Does SAMBAZON offer non-traditional locations?
Yes! We offer licensing agreements for non-traditional locations. SAMBAZON provides tailored solutions for spaces like stadiums, airports, college campuses, and many others. With flexible footprints ranging from 58-sq-ft kiosks to 400-sq-ft retail counters and beyond, our stores can fit just about anywhere.
Can I open a SAMBAZON store without prior business experience?
No. For franchising, we require a minimum of 2+ years of executive experience managing a multi-unit foodservice or retail concept. For licensing, we require 2+ years of executive experience in operating a takeaway, sit-down, or quick-service café business similar to our concept.
Can I develop multiple SAMBAZON locations?
Absolutely! If you have the experience and qualifications to manage a larger territory, we can establish an Area Development Agreement to grant multiple locations. The minimum commitment under this agreement is three stores, each opened under its own Franchise Agreement. This approach allows you to expand your presence and maximize your investment, with the estimated initial investment detailed in Item 7 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. We’re here to support you every step of the way as you grow with SAMBAZON.
How many employees do I need to run a store?
Thanks to our streamlined operations, a SAMBAZON store can be efficiently run with just two employees.
This website and the franchise sales information on this site do not constitute an offer to sell a franchise. The offer of a franchise can only be made through the delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”). Certain states require that we register the FDD in those states. The communications on this website are not directed by us to the residents of any of those states. Moreover, we will not offer or sell franchises in those states until we have registered the franchise (or obtained an applicable exemption from registration) and delivered the FDD to the prospective franchisee in compliance with applicable law.