Fitlife Foods is looking for franchisees. The Tampa-based lifestyle brand, specializing in nutritiously made prepackaged meals, aims to expand across the state through franchising, a plan that entails building more than 15 new stores and hiring 50 to 100 new employees.
"We've been continuously perfecting our business model for the past six-and-a-half years with the goal to franchise. We have put time and capital into our stores to ensure our method is proven," said founder David Osterweil in a statement Wednesday. "With great franchisees, our vision and values will continue to be very strong and will positively impact our customers."
Targeted locations for franchised stores include Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando and South Florida. But Fitlife's Plant City Culinary Center is also impacted by the impending expansion, as more employees will be brought on here, where the menu of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack items are prepared with organic, local ingredients whenever possible.
According to Osterweil, his Best of the Bay-winning company is focused on succeeding, not winning in the competitive business landscape that is food.
"We will always keep our focus on building and expanding a brand based on the intersection of innovative flavors and deep, dedicated relationships with our customers to help them live a healthier life," the founder said.
This article appears in Oct 12-19, 2017.