Meet Fresh Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$594,500 - $1,141,500
Franchise Fee
$20,000
Min Cash Required
$70,000
Total US Locations
35
Business Summary
Meet Fresh offers single-unit franchises for brick-and-mortar dessert stores that operate under the Meet Fresh brand. These stores feature Taiwanese desserts and beverages such as taro balls, grass jelly, shaved ice, tofu pudding, and tea-based beverages, alongside other complementary menu items. Meet Fresh stores utilize a fast-casual service format to serve the general public.
Corporate History
Meet Fresh Franchising LLC was formed as a California limited liability company on March 8, 2016, and began offering Meet Fresh franchises on April 19, 2016. Its parent company, Easy Way USA, Inc., was formed in May 2013. Easy Way USA is wholly-owned by Easy Way Station Co., Ltd., a Taiwanese company formed in December 2003. Easy Way Station's predecessor, Leisure Station Co., Ltd., was formed in Taiwan in January 1997, which is the earliest founding date related to the brand's lineage. Easy Way Station has directly and indirectly owned and operated Meet Fresh stores outside the United States since January 2007, and has licensed the brand to other franchisees internationally since August 2007. An affiliate, Easy Way Formula, LLC, operates nine U.S. Meet Fresh stores in California, and another affiliate, Easy Way Express, LLC, supplies proprietary products to franchisees.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$594,500 - $1,141,500
Franchise Fee (Low)
$20,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$20,000
Minimum Cash Required
$70,000
Royalty %
10%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$378,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$795,000
Working Capital
$95,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Meet Fresh Franchising LLC appears to be in good financial health, as indicated by its audited financial statements. The company's total assets have steadily increased from $2,515,723 in 2021 to $5,001,510 in 2023, while total liabilities have decreased from $483,716 in 2021 to $331,444 in 2023. Member's Equity has shown significant growth, rising from $2,032,007 in 2021 to $4,670,066 in 2023. Meet Fresh has consistently been profitable, with net income of $1,167,909 in 2023. The independent auditors issued an unqualified opinion, meaning the financial statements present fairly the company's financial position. While cash and cash equivalents decreased in 2023, the company maintains a strong overall financial position.
Financing Details
Meet Fresh does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. Additionally, the company does not guarantee any franchisee's notes, leases, or other obligations. Franchisees are responsible for securing their own funding through third-party sources.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
35
Franchised Units
26
Corporate Units
9
Avg Square Footage
2,900
Franchising Since
2016
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
Meet Fresh has no litigation required to be disclosed in this item, indicating that the company and its management have not been involved in any material litigation in recent years.
Bankruptcy History
Meet Fresh has no bankruptcy information required to be disclosed in this item, indicating that the company and its management have not been involved in any bankruptcy proceedings.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their Meet Fresh franchise agreement, franchisees must meet several conditions. They need to be in full compliance with their franchise agreement, the operations manual, and any other agreements with Meet Fresh or its affiliates. The franchisee's store, equipment, and other operating assets must meet the current standards for a new or renewing Meet Fresh store, including completing any required Store Updates. Franchisees must also prove they have the right to occupy their store premises for the entire renewal term and comply with Meet Fresh's then-current qualification and training requirements. Written notice of the desire to renew must be provided to Meet Fresh between 210 and 365 days before the current term expires. All outstanding amounts owed to Meet Fresh or its affiliates must be paid, and the franchisee, along with their owners and affiliates, must sign a general legal release. Finally, a renewal fee of $5,000 is required, and the franchisee must sign Meet Fresh's then-current form of franchise agreement and related documents, which may have different terms.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before opening, Meet Fresh provides franchisees with several services, including reviewing and accepting a proposed store location, delivering an Initial Training Program for the franchisee's designated owner and key employees, and supplying lists of approved suppliers for products, equipment, and signs. Meet Fresh also provides a generic interior layout, though franchisees are responsible for detailed architectural drawings, and issues written consent to open once all conditions are met. Once the business is operational, Meet Fresh offers ongoing general guidance through various methods, provides access to an electronic operations manual, and reviews proposed advertising materials. Meet Fresh may provide advertising templates and can require written approval for promotional content. Franchisees must conduct a grand opening promotion of at least $3,000. Meet Fresh also requires franchisees to use a specific Point of Sale (POS) system and related software, with ongoing maintenance and upgrade requirements. Meet Fresh retains full access to franchisee computer data and requires participation in its website.
Initial Training Hours
160
Training Location
Online, at a franchisor's store in California, and on-site at the franchisee's store
Ongoing Support
After opening, Meet Fresh provides ongoing general guidance to its franchisees through various methods, as deemed appropriate by the franchisor. Franchisees are loaned a copy of or granted electronic access to the operations manual. Meet Fresh reviews and provides consent for proposed advertising and new products, services, or suppliers that franchisees wish to introduce. Additional training programs may be offered or required, and on-site consultation services are available upon request for a fee. Meet Fresh can require designated owners and store managers to attend these additional programs to stay updated on products, services, and brand standards. Meet Fresh may provide advertising templates and can require written permission for any promotional material that uses the brand's trademarks. Franchisees must comply with Meet Fresh's policies regarding internet presence and participate in its official websites. Franchisees are also required to maintain and upgrade their Point of Sale (POS) system, with maintenance services estimated to cost $60-$100 per month.
Franchise Requirements
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Supervisory
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Staff Count
8
Territory Size Requirements
Meet Fresh franchisees are granted a non-exclusive right to operate a Meet Fresh Store at a specific, approved street address, which is referred to as the Accepted Location. The franchise does not provide an exclusive or protected territory, meaning Meet Fresh franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels controlled by Meet Fresh Franchising LLC or its affiliates, regardless of proximity to the franchisee's store. There are no defined territory sizes based on radius, population, zip codes, or other geographic metrics; the territory is limited to the physical street address of the store. Meet Fresh franchisees are not permitted to market or sell products and services through the internet or any other distribution channel besides their physical store.
Staffing Notes
Meet Fresh requires franchisees to have a Designated Owner who holds an equity interest in the business and is responsible for its supervision. Additionally, franchisees must employ at least two Store Managers to oversee the Meet Fresh store, one of whom may be the Designated Owner. All Store Managers, the Designated Owner, and any other relevant staff members are required to complete the Initial Training Program and obtain any necessary food handler certifications under state or local law. Meet Fresh expects at least eight employees (including a minimum of three kitchen staff) to complete the on-site training segments. Franchisees are solely responsible for hiring sufficient personnel to adequately staff their store and manage all aspects of employee relations, including wages, benefits, scheduling, assignment of duties, supervision, work rules, discipline, hiring, discharge, and working conditions. Meet Fresh does not have involvement or authority over these employee management activities.