Playa Bowls to open 75 new shops in 2024

Playa Bowls continues to accelerate its growth nationwide.

The quick-serve chain, specializing in acai, pitaya, mango, green and coconut bowls, juices, smoothies, cold brew and more, has signed eight new multi-unit franchise agreements. The agreements will lead to the opening of 54 new locations, adding to the 100-plus units already in Playa Bowls' pipeline.

As part of the new agreements, Playa Bowls will enter the Chicago market and increase its presence with existing owners in Miami, New York, Boston and other regions.

For the remainder of 2024, Playa Bowls plans to open 75 new shops and secure franchise commitments to enable the addition of 150 more locations in both existing and new markets. Targeted markets for expansion this year include Houston and Dallas.

"We are well on the way to achieving our goal to establish a presence in every region of the U.S., and our current initiatives are successfully reaching key markets nationwide," said Jayson Tipp, chief development officer at Playa Bowls. "We're thrilled that existing franchise owners comprise 60% of our new commitments and are rapidly signing significant multi-unit commitments while we continue to welcome new operators into the Playa Bowls family. Signing these eight multi-unit development commitments give us a strong start to 2024, while we have a strong pipeline with even more commitments pending in the next quarter."

Playa Bowls' strategic growth plans have resulted in multi-unit commitments for the following markets:

• Chicago: 10 units signed by Brian Cutlip and partners;
• Boston: 10 units signed by Dana Nentin and partners;
• Manhattan, New York City: 10 units signed by Raj Punwani;
• Miami, Fla,: Eight units signed by Alexandra Arguello and Hoboken Hospitality;
• Sarasota and Tampa, Fla.: Five units signed by brothers Ethan and Jacob McGowen;
• Phoenix: Four units signed by Brad Crider;
• Scranton, Penn.: Three units signed by partners Nicole Ryerson, John Ryerson and JM Mechin; and
• San Antonio, Tex,: Three units signed by Linda and Lou Crerand.

Among the eight multi-unit commitments, more than 60% are owned by current Playa Bowls operators, including Raj Punwani, owner of 14 shops throughout New York and Dana Nentin, an operator with 11 locations in the Boston metro area.

Founded in 2014, Playa Bowls has more than 200 shops systemwide, operating in 22 states.