Article

SoBol CEO, franchisee not giving up during COVID-19

Sobol Co-founder Jason Mazzarone is doing everything he can to help his 6-year-old business survive.

April 7, 2020 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Sobol, a 40-unit acai bowl and smoothie chain opened several locations in 2019 and was looking to double in size over the next year. The onset of COVID-19, however, has taken its toll, slashing year-over-year March and April sales 60% and leading to the temporary closing of seven locations.

Co-founder Jason Mazzarone, however, isn't throwing in the towel. In fact, he's doing everything he can to help the 6-year-old business survive. He and his co-founder have taken pays cuts and trimmed operating hours, for example, and are working closely with franchisees to keep the doors open. 

"No in-restaurant employees have been laid off yet," Mazzarone said in an interview with FastCasual. "Employees, who do not want to work or don’t feel comfortable working shifts, have been removed from the schedule."

Sobol franchisee Angelina Perry said sales were down 40% and 50% at her two units in Long Island, but — like Mazzarone — she hasn't laid off workers. The stores, however, are open fewer hours and are running with less than half the staff they normally have.

"We aren't busy enough and we are looking out for the safety of our staff and the safety of our customers by keeping minimal staff on," she said during an interview with FastCasual. "We are trying to divide the shifts we have available fairly between the employees who want to continue to work. Some employees have opted to stay home and self-quarantine."

Is help on the way?

Both Mazzarone and Perry have applied for aid under the CARES Act, but don't know if they'll be approved or how much it will actually help them.

"The government stimulus package is changing daily, and it's hard to say what exactly will come of it and if it will be enough to keep us open," Perry said. "Anything and everything will help, but we won't be banking on the stimulus package to keep us open. We hope we will be able to stay open and serve our customers through takeout, online ordering, DoorDash and Ubereats.

She's applied for the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster loans, although she's not sure she'll use either, if approved.

"But I felt it was smart to apply for both and make the decision when the time comes," she said.

Mazzarone has applied for the same loans as Perry and is awaiting approval. 

"We are trying to support our team any way we can," he said. "Whether it's assisting (franchisees) with customer communication efforts, helping find and partner with local charities, working closely with our PR firm and third-party delivery partners, or simply just being an ear for ideas and concerns." 

Click here for more COVID-19 coverage on FastCasual.

About Cherryh Cansler

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Cherryh Cansler is VP of Events for Networld Media Group and publisher of FastCasual.com. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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