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Finally, Clean Eating with a Healthy Business Model

Join the rising leader in flavorful fast casual.

Primed for Takeoff

We’ve reinvented fast casual with a focus on fresh ingredients, quality cuisine, and a technology-first approach including a simple ordering process customers crave.

$2.59m 1
Average Gross Sales

$2,593,243 Average Gross Sales for suburban markets.

3.38 2
Sales to Investment

Sales to Investment for suburban markets.

Learn More
What We Value

we believe it’s always a good thing to center health and happiness.

Fresh Ingredients

We never compromise on taste or quality. Our food is made with fresh, whole ingredients, sourced locally and daily — and that’ll never change: it’s what makes our meals, well… balanced.

Prepared Daily

We chop, cook, and prepare our top-tier vegetables, proteins, and sauces in small batches every single day — in an open-kitchen format, so you know just where your food comes from.

Delivered Responsibly

Biodegradable packaging. A commitment to the cities we call home and the people we love to serve. A focus on growing our own ingredients for optimal freshness, and in an earth-friendly way.

Transparent preparation, beautiful presentation

fresh. healthy. smart.

Our food is made with fresh, whole ingredients — and that’ll never change. We chop, cook, and prepare our top-tier vegetables, proteins, and sauces in small batches daily — in an open-kitchen format, so customers know just where their food comes from. And as part of our commitment to the communities we serve, we deliver it responsibly in biodegradable packaging every time.

bowls

bowls

Made fresh with a perfectly paired signature sauce to dial in the deliciousness.

52.73% of sales
tacos

tacos

An unforgettable fusion of tangy flavors constructed with farm-fresh ingredients.

12.73% of sales
snacks

snacks

Bite-size add ons too good to pass up. Simple enough to share... or savor selfishly.

14.63% of sales
teas

teas

Freshly brewed bubble teas, bursting with refreshing flavors and funky colors.

19.91% of sales
Balance Employee Emilee throwing up the peace sign.

we love our team

Offering well-paying work with well-rounded training is how we emphasize autonomy for our tight-knit, top-notch team, and with an average tenure of 2.94 years3, and 79% of employees trained as shift leaders4, it works.

autonomy

We give everyone room to discover what makes them shine. Every Balance fam member is encouraged to train in any position they think might fit best — to level up, make more, and feel good being here.

hierarchy

Our team thrives on self-responsibility: seeing what needs to be done, and stepping up to do it. Versatile by design — each of us can meet every challenge head on, backed by a trusted crew. No need for micromanaging when we’re in our groove.

inclusivity

We value inclusivity for everyone, no exceptions. We’ve found that workers feel best, and work best, when they’re free to be themselves. Our crew’s diversity is a plus — no worries about the nose ring, ink, or distinctive style.

Award Winning Tech

digital-first approach

Rooted in efficiency, we’ve strategically woven tech into every aspect of the brand to optimize both the customer and employee experience — including kiosk and app-ordering, proprietary app-based training, digital task lists and iPad-based kitchen operations, as well as an employee-centered peer management system.

The Balance app shown on two iPhones.
Here to Help

healthy support system

From startup training to store opening, we know how to support you at each step. With app-based training for your staff and initial and ongoing marketing support for your location, our team is always by your side.

Balance was the ideal concept to add to my brand portfolio. Not only are the bubble teas delicious, but the diversity of the menu and how customers can customize it – as bowls, snacks, or tacos – is simple to execute. I have felt supported through every step of the opening process and beyond.

Roshan Ayub

Franchisee, Wylie, TX

Balance Co-Founder Ho-Chan Jang standing outside the University of Toledo, his alma mater.
Our Story

from humble beginnings

Watch The Video
Interactive Timeline
1991
Coming to America

CJ’s family moves from South Korea to Ohio.

1992
Raised in the Family Restaurant

CJ’s mom opens a restaurant in Bowling Green, Ohio. CJ learns a thing or two about how good food brings people together.

2006
Business School Buddies

CJ and PK become fast friends after meeting at The University of Toledo.

2008
Tough Time to Graduate

The guys finish school, but good work is hard to come by.

2009
Declined

no luck at the bank

Choosing to open their own restaurant, they build a business plan. But after getting declined by 8 different banks, they decide to self-finance.

2010
Signing the First Lease

CJ and PK are happy to get a credit line from Home Depot, and then IKEA, maxing out their cards to build out the first store themselves.

2011
A second location falls through

A new store opportunity at their alma mater doesn’t work out, but on the drive home PK stumbles upon an even better spot. After intense negotiations, a new lease is signed and buildout begins.

2012
Sylvania Location Opens

From day one the Sylvania store hits it off, doubling sales in no time.

2014

bubble tea & blowing up

Sylvania upgrades with a bubble tea bar, and things really take off.

2016
Scoping out Perrysburg

PK finds a great piece of land in a flourishing area — turns out the landlord is a Balance fan! Agreeing to find other tenants for the development, the guys sign the lease and break ground on a new location.

2017
All Eyes on Balance

The guys garner national press attention, even landing on the prestigious Fast Casual Movers & Shaker's list.

2017
streamlining pickup orders

First called “digital drive-thru,” the new ordering app kicks off quick curbside takeout and customer perks.

2018

Downtown Toledo Location Opens

215 Summit St. Toledo, Ohio
2019

Downtown Cleveland Location Opens

515 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, Ohio
2019
balance farms open

Balance builds an 8,600-sq-ft aquaponics farm in the heart of Downtown Toledo to supply local businesses (including our area stores) with the freshest vegetables and herbs, daily.

2020
Setting an Example Citywide

PK and CJ handle the pandemic with poise, refining app ordering and contactless pickup — Toledo Health Dept. head names Balance "role model for restaurant COVID response."

2020
Reimagining Balance

To stay sustainable beyond the pandemic, PK and CJ revamp everything, working every position themselves and documenting it all — with updated video training for employees.

2021
Balance Reborn

With operations overhauled and improved, the customer-facing brand gets a full refresh, in-store and online.

2021

Partnering up to grow

To better position Balance in the emerging fast casual space, the guys partner with Pivotal Growth Partners.

2022
honored in the headlines

Balance gets recognized time and again by some of the top restaurant publications, including landing a spot on QSR’s 40/40 List and both PK and CJ being named One of the Most Influential Restaurant CEO’s by Nation’s Restaurant News.

2022

Balance Denver Opens

15177 Candelas Pkwy. Arvada, Co
Today
An Official Franchise

serving happiness through food

From humble beginnings, to an award winning franchise, PK and CJ have set their sights ahead to the next big challenge. After years of elevating the balance experience, it’s time to grow.

to an award winning franchise

Read our Full Story

We’ve come a long way since day one, but we’ve always kept our focus simple: serve happiness through food. And it’s who we serve that’s made all the difference — our customers, our communities, our cities, and our employees.

Our Story
High Potential

Prime
Markets
Available

Currently Available
A map of the United States denoting currently available and future Balance franchise markets by state.
What You'll Invest

Are you an energetic and capable operator obsessed with technology and motivated by clean eating? Join us in making healthy food fun and accessible for all.

$35k
Franchise Fee

$35,000 Franchise Fee

$768k
Investment

$768,142 to $1,228,680

6%
Royalty

6% of Net Sales

$1m
Financial Requirements

$1M Net Worth / $500K Liquid Capital

3%
Marketing Allocation

2% National / 1% Local

Your Remaining Steps

the path to ownership

As we set our sights ahead, we’re excited to see what we’ll accomplish together. Once you apply, it’s just a handful of steps so we can get to know each other, get you up to speed — and if it’s a good fit, give your Balance journey the green light.

Step 1

Initial Meeting and Application

An initial call between you, the candidate, and us, followed by a written application.

Step 2

Phone Interview

We spend some time reviewing your Franchise Application together.

Step 3

Discovery & Due Diligence

A deep dive into the brand, including a review of our Franchise Disclosure Document, financials, and background verification.

Step 4

Discovery Day

A visit to our headquarters in Toledo for your chance to experience the brand from the other side of the counter.

Step 5

Post Discovery Day Approval

After your visit, if the team feels there is a mutual fit, you will receive formal approval.

Step 6

Sign Franchise Agreement

After signing on the dotted line, you will be officially onboarded as a member of the Balance fam.

Growth & Awards

Taking the National Stage

We’re proud to say we’ve taken the market by storm since the very start, winning awards and gaining positive attention from top industry players, just by doing our thing. And we don’t intend to stop anytime soon. Check out our news section to keep up with the latest.

June 20, 2024

Emilee Straziuso: QSR Young Leader to Watch 

Media
Awards
May 23, 2024

Balance Grille Named a Fast Casual Top 100 Mover and Shaker

Growth
May 23, 2024

Balance Grille Opens in Wylie

Growth
February 28, 2024

Balance Grille is Heading West to Texas

Growth
Small Business Currents

How Implementing a No-Managers Approach Empowers Employees and Transforms Workplace Dynamics

Media
Values
Growth
Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast

Prakash Karamchandani – Co-Founder Balance Grille

Media
Growth
NRN Extra Serving Podcast

How Balance Grille Plans to Attract Audiences Across the Country

Media
Growth
June 7, 2023

Balance Grille Focused on Expanding Horizons in Centennial State

Growth

embrace the opportunity

More than ever we’re hitting our stride, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for what’s next. We’d love for you to grow along with us.

Get Started

or call us at: 419-893-9999

  1. "Average Gross Sales" reflects the average of our two corporate units’ Gross Sales during 2023 in suburban markets. The Average Gross Sales data includes all revenue from the sale of goods to retail customers, including the full range of required products, before discounts. During 2023, one of those two units had sales that equaled or exceeded the average, and the median gross sales for those two suburban units was $2,593,243. Our two units in non-suburban areas did not perform as well. Please refer to Item 19 of our April 17, 2024 FDD for the relevant details. Because units in suburban markets are the most similar to those we are currently offering, we refer to the results of those units in this document.

  2. "Sales to Investment Ratio" (return on investment) is calculated as the average Gross Sales for 2023 (as noted above) divided by high and low investment for a new “Balance Pan-Asian Grille” restaurant in suburban markets. The median ROI in 2023 for those two suburban units ranged from 2.11 to 3.38. Our two units in non-suburban areas did not perform as well. Please refer to Item 19 of our April 17, 2024 FDD for the relevant details.

  3. Average tenure reflected above is factored after the first 60 days of employment for all of four of our corporate units including our campus and farms operations as of December 31, 2023.

  4. Shift leader percentage reflected above includes employee totals for all four of our corporate units as of December 31, 2023

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