QSR Magazine has belted out a few new articles on the meal prep business. They did manage to get some interesting quotes from owners on how they currently see the business and what they plan to do for the future. We all know many stores have been forced to abandoned the original model and come up with new recipe ideas, delivery methods and phasing out assembly all together. Hard to say if this is making an impact and keep things alive for the upcoming year, but strangely it sounds like Mr. Food is almost ready to step in the ring and try their hand at the meal prep game. Not really known for making a splash in this game so far, Mr. Food has been cautious of their expansion and franchise sales and now that the smoldering embers of formers competitors are starting to die down they might try a coup.

Even with their financial backing and supposed name recognition it’s still going to be a hard sell for this business. While they certainly have a huge recipe bank to draw upon and there cross promotions could be impressive, but the idea itself may just be too sour for people to stomach these days. There may be some niche markets still left out there with specialty recipes and ingredients, but as a solution for a mass market, I think those days are over.

A growth spurt up to 13 stores is a far cry from a commercially viable franchise, but at least they are taking things slowly and seeing there is still a market left for them.

Despite today’s weak consumer confidence, Mr. Food has experienced a growth spurt. Having doubled in size in recent months, the chain operates 13 stores with a handful more under development. “We believe in slow and steady growth,” Rosenthal says. “We want to have more stores that are successful than a high numbers of stores.”

Many franchisees are former employees or customers who are enthusiastic about the concept, Rosenthal says. Potential operators can expect to spend from $266,100 to $378,300 to open a no-fuss Meals store in a leased shopping center. Weekly franchise royalties add up to 6 percent of net sales. Franchisees also are expected to contribute 2 percent to the corporate marketing fund.

Mr Food no fuss Meals - Franchise Opportunity

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