The Real Food Academy Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$332,100 - $511,950
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Min Cash Required
$20,000
Total US Locations
1
Business Summary
The Real Food Academy operates a culinary-based teaching business for children and adults, offering a variety of services including birthday parties, cooking classes, camps, field trips, after school programs, team building sessions, and other community cooking events. The Real Food Academy operates from a fixed retail location and may, with approval, provide alcohol at approved events.
Corporate History
The Real Food Academy Franchise LLC was formed in Florida in December 2022 to offer franchises for its culinary-based teaching business. The Real Food Academy began offering franchises in May 2023. The franchisor itself does not operate a business of this type, but an affiliate, The Real Food Academy, LLC, has been operating a similar business in Miami, Florida, since March 2010.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$332,100 - $511,950
Franchise Fee (Low)
$30,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$49,500
Minimum Cash Required
$20,000
Royalty %
8%
Marketing %
1%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$185,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$300,000
Working Capital
$25,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
The Real Food Academy Franchise LLC's financial statements for 2023 show significant financial challenges. The company reported a net loss of $128,762 for the year, resulting in a members' deficit of $118,762. Current assets are very low at $6,519, while current liabilities total $125,281, including $117,801 owed to an affiliate for expenses. The auditors noted that management is required to evaluate conditions that raise substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern, but the audit opinion itself is unqualified.
Financing Details
The Real Food Academy does not offer any direct or indirect financing options. The company also does not guarantee any lease or other obligations for its franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
1
Franchised Units
0
Corporate Units
1
Avg Square Footage
2,400
Franchising Since
2023
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
The Real Food Academy has no litigation to report in this Item.
Bankruptcy History
The Real Food Academy has no bankruptcy history to report in this Item.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, The Real Food Academy franchisees must have fully complied with the agreement's provisions, paid a renewal fee of $3,000, made necessary capital expenditures to maintain uniformity with the System, satisfied all monetary obligations owed to The Real Food Academy and its affiliates, and not be in default of any agreement. Franchisees must also provide timely written notice of their intent to renew, sign The Real Food Academy's then-current franchise agreement (which may have different terms), comply with current qualifications and training requirements, and sign a general release.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before opening, The Real Food Academy provides franchisees with criteria for equipment and supplies, designates their territory, offers initial training, and lends them a copy of the Confidential Operations Manual. After opening, The Real Food Academy provides a list of approved suppliers, administers the Brand Marketing Fund, may offer access to online training for employees, and provides general guidance by phone, video, email, and newsletters. The Real Food Academy also conducts periodic visits to franchise locations for consultation and assistance, may offer ongoing training, approves advertising materials, and provides modifications to the Operations Manual. The Real Food Academy will also reimburse expenses for legal proceedings disputing authorized use of marks, if timely notified.
Initial Training Hours
59
Training Location
The Real Food Academy's initial training is conducted online, remotely via conferences, and in-person at its corporate headquarters in Miami, Florida, or another designated location.
Ongoing Support
After opening, The Real Food Academy provides ongoing assistance by advising and offering general guidance by telephone, video conference, e-mail, intranet, and newsletters on operational methods, recipes, accounting, products, and marketing strategies. The Real Food Academy also makes periodic, sometimes unannounced, visits to franchised locations for consultation and guidance, providing written reports with suggested improvements. The Real Food Academy may offer ongoing training programs and annual conferences, which may be mandatory and incur fees, plus franchisee attendance costs. Franchisees are also required to obtain third-party food safety and First-Aid/CPR certifications.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
The Real Food Academy seeks franchisees who are not passive investors and are actively engaged in the operations of the franchise. The Designated Managing Owner or Designated Manager must commit to regularly spending 25 or more hours per week onsite at The Real Food Academy location. Candidates are expected to possess sufficient business experience, aptitude, and financial resources to operate The Real Food Academy, and must meet the franchisor's qualifications for new franchisees and satisfy its business and financial standards. They should be capable of selecting, training, evaluating, and supervising all staff. Individuals must also be of good moral character and should not own an interest in or perform services for a competitive business. Franchisees must be prepared to comply with ongoing training and certification requirements.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Hands-On
Territory Type
Protected
Territory Size Requirements
The Real Food Academy territories, known as the "Area of Primary Responsibility," are mutually agreed upon with the franchisee. They are defined by general demographics, including a residential population of up to 150,000, the scope of geographic boundaries, and other criteria. The Real Food Academy describes these areas using coordinates or fixed geographical features on a map to ensure the franchisee can realistically service the territory.
Staffing Notes
The Real Food Academy requires its franchised locations to be under the direct supervision of a Designated Managing Owner or Designated Manager, who must spend at least 25 hours weekly on-site and complete initial training. The Real Food Academy specifies various staff roles including Presenter (for kid's birthdays and field trips), Director of Operations (DOO), Chefs, Academy Manager, Food Prep, and Chef Assistant. Franchisees are responsible for recruiting, screening, interviewing, and training their own employees in accordance with EEOC guidelines and wage and labor laws, including specific requirements for sexual, racial, and pregnancy harassment, and ADA compliance. All personnel with access to confidential information must sign nondisclosure and non-competition agreements. The Real Food Academy also outlines procedures for new employee orientation, ongoing training, developing personnel policies, scheduling, time tracking, uniform/dress code, performance evaluations, and progressive discipline.