LANCASTER, PA — Oola Bowls is entering 2025 with accelerating momentum, expanding from a regional Pennsylvania startup into one of the country’s fastest-growing functional food franchises. The company closed the year with 22 stores across five states and more than 75 franchise units sold, marking a decisive shift toward national scale.
Founded in 2018 by Lancaster natives Joe Ferderbar and Brock Snider, the brand built its early footprint across Pennsylvania before widening its reach in 2025 with nine new locations in Massachusetts, Maine, Florida, and Georgia. Of the 22 stores operating nationwide, five are corporate-owned and 17 are franchise-operated.
Ferderbar said consumer demand for nutrient-dense, minimally processed food continues to fuel the brand’s expansion strategy. He pointed to the company’s streamlined operating model and consistent franchise interest as core drivers of its rapid growth trajectory.
Oola Bowls is now preparing its first wave of Western U.S. development through new multi-unit agreements targeting Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona. Those commitments, along with continued interest from operators in the East and Southeast, form the basis of the brand’s projected 2026 expansion.
Idaho-based franchisee Mike Kahn said the decision to invest was rooted in product quality and operational simplicity. He highlighted the company’s high-pulp açaí blend — one of the densest in the market — as a meaningful differentiator that supports both flavor and nutrition.
The brand has continued updating its menu alongside its physical growth. The 2025 debut of Oola Zero Açaí Bowls introduced a no-added-sugar option aimed at health-focused consumers seeking functional benefits without sweeteners. The product line joins established signature items, including bowls topped with the company’s house-made Grandma’s Granola.
Oola Bowls plans to use its expanding franchise pipeline to push toward additional milestones in the year ahead, positioning itself as a rising competitor in the growing functional food sector.
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