Founded by Ben Casey and Van Hatziyianis, Bahia Bowls Acai Cafe works to “provide a consistent, fresh, and unique product to the local community and create a place where people who come in are treated like family.” The brand’s website shows 15 locations both in Bahia Bowls’ home state of Florida and beyond, and a sixteenth is coming soon to Weston, opening at 1396-2 SW 160th Ave.
“My business partner and I came out of the insurance industry together,” Richard, who is also behind the brand’s Cooper City location, told What Now on Monday. “It’s getting more and difficult, to the point where even answering the phone was difficult, with people losing their homes—we wanted to get into an industry where people wanted to be there rather than had to.”
Bahia Bowls was a clear choice. After a visit to one of the brand’s first locations, the two business partners were won over by the brand’s attention to quality and healthfulness, paired with its affordability.
“I believe,” Richard says, “that if given the option, people choose healthy over not-healthy. I believe people would eat organic if it cost the same as everything else.”
Since opening about three years ago in Cooper City, at 9600 Stirling Road, the local franchisees have been proving that point. Their success has led to the expansion in Weston.
“We’ve been very pleasantly surprised by what an an enjoyable industry is it to get into. And we’ve been able to stay true to that goal of offering a healthy product at fair price.”
Bahia Bowls’ healthy bowls come with a wide range of toppings added to guests’ choice of base: the most-popular Acai Bowl (Organic Açaí blended strawberries and banana. Topped with granola, strawberries, banana, blueberries, coconut shavings, honey), the Green Bowl (Spinach, Kale, Tropical Fruit and Almond Milk blend topped with Granola, Mango, Pineapple, Kiwi, Coconut Shavings & Honey), the breakfast-friendly Oatmeal Bowl (Whole grain oatmeal, granola, strawberries, banana, blueberries & honey), and more. Guests are always encouraged to “Select your size and customize!”
You can keep up with Bahia Bowls news by following @bahiabowlscafe on Instagram.