On a spring day two years ago, Daryl and Deb Hunter drove to Detroit for a hot bowl of soup.
It’s a long way to go for lunch, but the Hunters weren’t just looking for comfort food — they were investigating their future.
The couple had been looking for a franchise opportunity, and after eating a bowl of Zoup’s chicken pot pie soup, their search came to an end.
The first Canadian location of the U.S.-based soup restaurant opens in Waterloo next month.
“When we went down for an unannounced site visit, a lot of things really stood out for us,” Daryl said.
“Being able to taste-test the soups before placing an order; the fact that each of the soups are served with a big hunk of warm bread.
“For most places, soup is an afterthought; something you get on the side. With Zoup, it’s a full meal in a bowl.”
The Hunters spent four months going through a due diligence process with Zoup, deciding whether the couple and the franchise were a good fit for each other, then going through training before selecting a location for the inaugural Canadian Zoup at the Shops at Waterloo Town Square.
There are currently 30 locations in the colder, midwestern states.
“It was a natural progression for Zoup to want to move up to southwestern Ontario, with our climate,” Daryl said.
He and Deb live in the small town of Harrietsville, just outside of London, but plan to make the move to this area soon. He’s familiar with the area because his sister used to skate here.
“Zoup has mainly a lunchtime driven crowd that comes out, even though we’re open during evenings and weekends. So the density of white-collar demographic right around our location was very appealing, as well as the upscale feel.” Each day, the 40-seat “quick and casual” restaurant will offer 12 different soups — the popular chicken pot pie and lobster bisque are available every day, along with 10 rotating soups chosen from an extensive list of over 100 selections.
Offering counter service, Zoup is expected to fill an uptown gap between fast food and sit-down service. Customers can taste test the soups, before placing an order.
“We’ll get it all ready for them and we’ll call that customer by name when their order is ready.”
The average lunch check is about $8, Daryl said, and there’s something for everyone.
Every day there’s at least one vegetarian option, as well as one dairy-free, one gluten-free and one “low-points” pick for those watching their waistline.
He’s not concerned about opening a soup shop at a time when the weather is warming up.
In addition to chilled soups, Zoup offers sandwiches and salads too.
Full nutritional info is available online and in the store.
“It’s a very health-conscious selection that we offer,” he said.
With opening day a few short weeks away, Hunter said he’s “knee-deep in construction” and working to hire about 20 staff.
He’s hoping to serve soup starting May 19, with both a friends and family event and a charity event lined up for the first week.
Once things are up and running, customers can sign up for the e-mail list, to be notified each morning of Zoup’s daily soups.
“They’ll know exactly which soups we have by 9 a.m. If they see a favourite soup on the menu they can come out, or they can order it online as well and we’ll have it ready for them, hot and fresh.”
And though he’ll be following the American lead on all things soup, a Canadian Zoup may sport one major difference.
“I think Canada is a little different than the U.S. as far as coffee, so it’s something we’re planning on having in the future.”
See original story: http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/article/234217
