Vitality Bowls, a Northern California restaurant brand that specializes in açaí bowls, smoothies, wraps, salads and more, has announced a signed agreement with local husband-and-wife entrepreneur duo, Tianna and Lizandro Barragan, to open a new location in Turlock.
The couple plans to have the restaurant, which they’ve described as “health-focused superfood café,” to open by the end of 2024. The location has not yet been announced.
“This is more than just a business venture to us—it's about bringing our passion for healthy living to our community,” said Tianna Barragan. “Turlock's small-town charm and close-knit community made it the perfect fit for us to act upon our long-term goals. We've seen firsthand the need for more nutritious options in the Central Valley, and we're excited to fill that gap. Joining forces with Vitality Bowls allows us to be part of something bigger, expanding its reach while satisfying cravings with a variety of healthy superfood options.”
There are currently 30 Vitality Bowls locations in California, including one on Oakdale Road in Modesto.
The menu features signature bowls like the Superfood Bowl, made with acai, pitaya, almond milk, organic granola, cacao nibs and goji berries, and the Chimichurri Steak Wrap — a blend of super greens, grass-fed sous-vide steak, grains, radishes and more wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla. Each meal is packed with antioxidants, the company said in a release.
“Tianna and Lizando are exactly the right entrepreneurs to grow the brand in Turlock,” said Tara Gilad, co-founder and President of Vitality Bowls. “Given Lizando’s background as a health professional and Tianna’s business expertise, they truly embody the Vitality Bowls values and share our mission of bringing delicious and healthy food options to the community.”
Roy and Tara Gilad founded Vitality Bowls in 2011 in San Ramon, California. The duo started the superfood café concept as a result of discovering their daughter’s severe food allergies and wanting to find safe, healthy food alternatives.
Since franchising began in 2014, the brand has grown to more than 145 cafés open and in development. Between 2019 and 2020, Vitality Bowls earned the “Best Franchise to Buy''— New Ethnic Eats Category Zor Award, was named in Entrepreneur’s Top Food Franchise and Top New Franchises list, Franchise Times’s Top 200+ list, Entrepreneur’s Top Growth Franchise list, Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies, Restaurant Business’s Future 50 and Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers. In 2022, it was named a Top Food Franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine, claiming one of the top five spots in the “Açaí Bowl'' category. Additionally, in 2023 it was named a top emerging brand in Franchise Journal.
