In ‘flagship western debut,’ chain opens two Meridian restaurants. Get ready, Boise

It describes itself as “one of America’s fastest-growing functional food franchises.”

And its two newly opened Meridian restaurants? They’re the “flagship western debut” for the Pennsylvania-based chain, “after a landmark growth year in the East.”

Oola Bowls has arrived, Idaho. The brand opened both Meridian stores in February: one at 2295 E. Fairview Ave. and another at 1245 W. Chinden Blvd.

Local franchisees Mike and Ashley Kahn celebrated the official launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at the Fairview location, which is at The Shops at Pine 43. In a message, Mike Kahn said he hopes to increase the brand’s Treasure Valley presence to five to seven stores in the next couple of years.

“Boise could probably support two to three,” Kahn told the Statesman last year.

Founded in 2018, Oola Bowls calls itself “the leading health-focused QSR (quick-service restaurant) franchise known for one the highest pulp content, nutrient-dense açaí bowls in the U.S.”

“While açaí has become a staple,” a press release explains, “Oola Bowls is elevating the category with a focus on functional nutrition. By partnering with established açaí companies and using high-quality, house-made ingredients like their signature Grandma’s Granola, Oola Bowls is positioning itself as the premier post-workout and family-friendly recovery destination in Meridian.”

Although it’s a niche restaurant category, açai isn’t new to the Treasure Valley. Other shops selling it range from the Rush Bowls chain to the family-operated Boise Juice Company.

Oola will be a formidable competitor.

It “brings a new level of clean fuel to the region,” the release brags, adding that its celebration this week also highlighted “the brand’s Oola Zero line, a first-of-its-kind, zero-added-sugar açaí option designed for performance-focused lifestyles.”

Michael Deeds

Idaho Statesman

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Michael Deeds is a long-serving entertainment reporter and opinion columnist at the Idaho Statesman, where he chronicles the Boise good life: restaurants, concerts, culture, cool stuff. He started as a summer intern after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a news-editorial journalism degree. Deeds’ prior Statesman roles have included sportswriter, music critic and features editor. His other writing has ranged from freelancing album reviews for The Washington Post to bragging about Boise in that inflight magazine you left on the plane.