Beach-Inspired Acai and Superfruit Bowl Brand Makes Its International Debut This Spring 

TORONTO – Playa Bowls, the U.S.’s leading superfruit bowl shop with nearly 400 locations, is officially bringing its signature tropical vibe north of the border. Eat Up Canada, Inc., the restaurant development group leading Playa Bowls’ Canada expansion, has signed a lease for the brand’s first Canadian shop at The Well in downtown Toronto. The shop will mark Playa Bowls’ international debut when it opens this spring. 

Known for its vibrant, better-for-you menu of superfruit bowls, smoothies, and juices made with fresh ingredients, Playa Bowls pairs nutrient-dense fruits with a laid-back, beach-inspired atmosphere that has helped the brand build a loyal following across the U.S. 

The 1,700 square foot shop will open within The Well, a vibrant, indoor-outdoor mixed-use development at the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Front Street in downtown Toronto. The prominent downtown setting will introduce Playa Bowls to one of the city’s most lively urban hubs.

“Canada has one of the most sophisticated restaurant markets in North America, and consumers here quickly recognize concepts that feel authentic and distinctive,” said George Heos, co-founder of Eat Up Canada Inc. “When we first experienced Playa Bowls, what stood out immediately was the energy around the brand. Playa Bowls brings a fresh perspective to the fast-casual space, and we’re excited to introduce something that feels both new and culturally relevant.”

The new shop is part of Playa Bowls’ recently announced master franchise agreement with Eat Up Canada, led by industry veterans George Heos and Alex Gerzon. The pair previously built a 50-unit Firehouse Subs portfolio in Canada and are currently leading the expansion of Pokeworks in the market through their Eat Up Canada platform. They also bring decades of experience in franchising and restaurant operations with major brands including KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Boston Pizza and Recipe Unlimited. Under the agreement, Eat Up Canada plans to develop more than 160 Playa Bowls locations across Canada in the coming years, establishing the brand in key markets before expanding through franchising.

“Expanding into Canada is a major milestone for Playa Bowls, and launching our first international location in a world-class city like Toronto is a strong way to begin that next chapter,” said John Cappasola, CEO of Playa Bowls. “George, Alex, and the Eat Up Canada team bring deep experience building restaurant brands in the Canadian market, and we have tremendous confidence in their ability to grow Playa Bowls in a way that preserves the authenticity, culture, and guest experience that define our brand.”

At the heart of Playa Bowls’ menu is acai (ah-sigh-EE), a small but mighty purple berry sourced directly from the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and known for its rich, fruity flavor with a hint of chocolate. Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C, acai supports overall wellness by helping protect the body from everyday stress, supporting gut health, and delivering sustained energy.

Beyond acai, guests at Playa Bowls can choose from a wide variety of superfruit bases or build their own bowls, with blends featuring pitaya, coconut, kale, banana, oatmeal, and mango. Bowls are finished with fresh-cut fruits, seeds, nuts, granola, dried berries, and drizzles like nut butter, allowing guests to customize each order to their taste and lifestyle. The shop also offers smoothies, cold brew, and grab-and-go options, with many menu items easily adaptable to vegan, gluten-free, Whole30, Keto, and Paleo preferences.

Founded by two surfers, Playa Bowls was born out of the desire to recreate deliciously better-for-you versions of the acai and pitaya bowls the pair encountered on various surf trips spanning from Costa Rica to Hawaii. The duo discovered new and unique twists on this popular post-surf treat at each beach and came home wanting more. They set up a blender and a small cart across from the boardwalk in Belmar, New Jersey, and Playa Bowls was born. After ten years, thousands of team members, and hundreds of thousands of bowls later, Playa Bowls continues to offer superfruit-packed menu items with a mission to lead communities in healthy, sustainable living.

To learn more about Playa Bowls, visit www.playabowlscanada.ca and follow the brand at @playabowlsca on Instagram and @playabowlscanada on TikTok for the latest news.

About Playa Bowls

Known as New Jersey’s original acai bowl shop, Playa Bowls is the nation’s leading superfruit bowl shop serving up an extensive and unique menu of over 40 items, including the bright flavors of acai, pitaya, green and coconut bowls alongside oatmeal bowls, juices, smoothies, and cold brew made with the freshest, high-quality ingredients. What began as a pair of blenders, a patio table, and a fridge in 2014 has flourished into almost 400 shops nationwide that operate in 30 states, thousands of team members, and a mission to lead communities in healthy, sustainable living. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades, including No. 7 on the 2026 Franchise Times Fast & Serious List, placement on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2026 Franchise 500, Forbes 30 Under 30, Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers, QSR Young Leaders to Watch, and recognition as a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Visit playabowls.com for additional information and stay connected on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.

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