Successful food franchises that started in Utah and a few to watch
· KSL.comEstimated read time: 7-8 minutes
Fair warning: You're about to feel very hungry.
Utahns have a deep appreciation for many things and innovation and delicious, convenient food are definitely among them. So it's no surprise that entrepreneurs have found success creating food franchises that cater not only to Utahns but to customers across the country.
Grab a dirty soda, order the sweet pork and throw in a cookie, because here's a look at some of the successful food franchises that got their start right here in Utah — plus a few that could be ones to watch.
Crumbl Cookies
At Crumbl, the only thing more impressive than the size of their cookies is the rate of their growth. After starting out with one Logan location in 2017, owners Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley have since seen their business expand to more than 1,000 locations — including internationally. Turns out: People love a pink box full of saucer-sized cookies that rotate flavors every week.
"Cult classic cookies of Utah," one reviewer wrote. "These are my kryptonite. Always has an amazing selection of cookies with new flavors every time I visit."
- What to order: The milk chocolate chip and sugar cookies are mainstays, but keep an eye out for one of their Top 25 flavors to hit the weekly rotating menu.
Swig
You can't talk about successful Utah franchises without mentioning the dirty soda frenzy that's taken the state — and the nation — by storm. Nicole Tanner and her then-husband Todd opened the first Swig location in St. George in 2010. It was a drive-thru soda shop born out of a love for convenience and customized Diet Cokes.
Swig officially holds the trademark for the "dirty soda" term, as Nicole explains in an article for Utah Business magazine. Today it has 180 locations spread across the country.
- What to order: Get yourself a Texas Tab (Dr. Pepper with vanilla and coconut cream), some salted pretzel bites and a pink sugar cookie to top it off.
Cafe Rio
Another massive hit that was born in St. George, Cafe Rio has built quite a fanbase of its own. Steve and Patricia Stanley opened the original restaurant in 1997 and built the concept around fresh, made-to-order food. Ownership has since changed hands, but the chain has continued to grow, with more than 180 locations across the country.
- What to order: The sweet pork salad or burrito served enchilada style.
Cupbop
Before Cupbop became a fast-casual Korean BBQ chain, it was a food truck parked at the Gallivan Center. Founder Jung Song launched the business in 2013, serving Korean barbecue in a cup and betting that Utahns would embrace a cuisine that was still relatively unfamiliar to many. They did. Cupbop now has locations across multiple states, as well as internationally.
The chain got another boost in 2022 when Song appeared on Shark Tank and struck a deal with Mark Cuban.
- What to order: The KKO KKO Bop, made with spicy chicken, is a good place to start. Add some Korean fried chicken wings if you're really hungry.
Kneaders
If you've ever wondered how a bakery became a Utah institution, look no further than Kneaders. Gary and Colleen Worthington started learning the art of European breadmaking before opening their first bakery in Orem in 1997. Today, the family-owned business still makes its hearth breads from scratch and has expanded to dozens of locations across the West.
And if you've ever been tempted to buy an entire loaf of bread after walking through the door, you're not alone.
- What to order: The turkey bacon avocado sandwich is a classic, but save room for the chunky cinnamon French toast or a slice of raspberry bread pudding.
Costa Vida
Costa Vida is another Utah-born Mexican restaurant that has turned fresh, fast-casual food into a growing franchise. Kenny Prestwich and JD Gardner opened the first location in Layton in 2003, and the company's first franchisees opened a Provo location soon after. Those franchisees eventually became owners of the company themselves.
Today, Costa Vida has 94 locations across the country and continues to expand.
- What to order: The sweet pork burrito or salad is a safe bet, but the grilled chicken tacos are worth a try if you want something a little lighter.
Mo' Bettahs
When you can't go to Hawaii, bring Hawaii to you. That's essentially what brothers Kimo and Kalani Mack did when they opened Mo' Bettahs in Bountiful in 2008. They introduced the public to the delicious comfort of Hawaiian-style grilled meats, served with rice and macaroni salad — and customers were hooked. Since then, it's grown to over 80 locations nationwide.
- What to order: The teriyaki chicken plate is a classic, or try the katsu chicken if you prefer something crispy.
Utah franchises to keep an eye on
While the businesses above have become household names across the country, many Utah brands are still in the earlier stages of expansion. These four chains have already built a following and, in some cases, expanded beyond Utah — making them worth keeping an eye on as they continue to grow:
FiiZ Drinks
Yes, there's room for more than one soda shop in this town. Founded in Bountiful in 2014, FiiZ Drinks entered the drive-thru soda shop scene with the tagline, "Your Drink. Your Way." With a reported 10,000 possible soda combinations and more than 70 locations nationwide, you may start seeing these pop up in more places.
Pizzeria Limone
In 2011, Pizzeria Limone brought fast-casual, Neapolitan-style pizza to Salt Lake City, and the Utah-born chain has continued to expand. Its nine locations serve Salt Lake, Utah, Washington and Davis counties. While it hasn't crossed state lines yet, its continued growth makes it one to watch.
R&R BBQ
R&R BBQ got its start when its owners took their love of barbecue from the competition circuit to the restaurant business. After winning local and national awards, they opened their first restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City in 2013. Today, the chain has 13 restaurants across Utah and Idaho, with plenty of room to keep growing.
Aubergine Kitchen
"Fast-casual" doesn't have to mean unhealthy. That's the philosophy behind Aubergine Kitchen, founded by Elcio and Mirian Zanatta and built around whole-food, globally inspired meals. The Utah-born chain now has 13 locations across Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Idaho. And with one at the Salt Lake City International Airport, its food is reaching travelers from around the world.
Let the innovation continue
If there's one thing Utahns can appreciate as much as good food, it's good ideas. Many of these came from someone seeing a gap in the market and filling that need.
With so many brilliant minds in the Beehive State, don't be surprised if more franchises pop up in the next several years. Maybe the next big one will be your very own brainchild.
Siegfried & Jensen
Since 1990, Siegfried & Jensen have been helping the people of Utah and surrounding states who have suffered needless injuries and death caused by car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective drugs, dog bites, wrongful death, and other types of personal injury.
The firm is committed to keeping Utah families and communities safe by ensuring wrongdoers are held accountable. While a lawsuit isn't always the answer when it is needed, having someone on your side can mean the difference between declaring bankruptcy and rebuilding your life and moving forward, especially when you're up against an insurance company or a hospital.
Siegfried & Jensen has represented more than 35,000 clients and recovered over $1.2 billion for them.