Beyond Food Mart

Franchise investors often grapple with the pivotal challenge of identifying a nascent brand within a dynamic market, evaluating its potential for scalability and profitability amidst a sea of established competitors. The decision to commit significant capital, ranging from hundreds of thousands to several millions of dollars, demands an unparalleled level of due diligence to mitigate the inherent risks of a new venture. Beyond Food Mart, established in July 2016, presents a distinct franchise opportunity within the expansive and resilient convenience store sector, frequently co-located with motor fuel and power retailing facilities, aiming to redefine consumer expectations by offering a curated selection of goods extending far beyond conventional necessities. The company’s corporate headquarters, initially based in Chino, California, underscores its foundational roots in a key consumer market. At its inception, the brand was spearheaded by a group of passionate entrepreneurs, including Mark Sater, who has served as President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chair of the Board of Directors since July 2016, concurrently overseeing multiple affiliated entities that support the Beyond Food Mart business and manage intellectual property sublicensed to franchisees. Nick Fahed (Naser Abdallat), another pivotal leader, has held the roles of Vice President, Secretary, and a member of the Board of Directors since July 2016, contributing his extensive expertise in real estate, petroleum, and franchise development, having been a licensed real estate professional since 2001. Rabih Sater leads as Director of Operations, bringing a robust background in managing retail and real estate businesses, including the development of fuel stations, retail centers, and fast-food establishments. Ash Sater, a co-founder, functions as CTO | CXO, leading strategic planning, research and development, and deployment strategies, and is credited with developing much of the company's patents and intellectual property focused on enhancing customer experience through his Experiential Design Studio. Beyond Food Mart currently operates 4 total units, all of which are franchised units, indicating a pure-play franchising model where all operational locations are under franchisee ownership, having initiated its franchising efforts in 2016. This focused approach places Beyond Food Mart within the "All Other Specialty Food Stores" category, a segment of the broader "Specialty Food Stores" and "Food & Grocery Retail" industries. The global specialty food stores market was valued at a substantial USD 236.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to surge to USD 433.36 billion by 2032, demonstrating a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.87% over this forecast period. This significant market size, coupled with the brand’s strategic positioning to offer unique snacks, prepared foods, and everyday essentials, establishes a compelling landscape for the Beyond Food Mart franchise opportunity, offering investors a stake in a growing niche within a foundational retail sector.

The industry landscape in which Beyond Food Mart operates is characterized by its immense scale and consistent growth, driven by evolving consumer preferences and demographic shifts. The global specialty food stores market, valued at USD 236.4 billion in 2024, is on a trajectory to reach USD 433.36 billion by 2032, propelled by a 7.87% CAGR, signifying a strong and sustained expansion. Within this global context, North America dominated the specialty food market in 2024, a testament to the region’s robust consumer preference for organic, gourmet, and artisanal products, alongside a heightened awareness of healthy and sustainable eating habits. The U.S. specialty food stores market alone commanded a size of $32.4 billion in 2024, experiencing an impressive 11.6% CAGR between 2020 and 2025, although it saw a slight decrease of -0.3% in 2025. A more granular view of the "Other Specialty Food Stores" segment in the U.S. reveals total revenue of $9.5 billion in 2024, with this sector having grown at an annual rate of 3.3% over the past three years, encompassing 9,245 companies. This segment also anticipates significant digital transformation, with e-commerce sales forecasted to grow 14.0% in 2024. The broader global food & grocery retail market further underscores the industry's foundational strength, valued at USD 11,932.5 billion in 2023 and projected to expand to USD 14,781.1 billion by 2030, exhibiting a steady CAGR of 3.2% from 2024 to 2030. Key consumer trends driving this demand include an increasing preference for premium, organic, and artisanal products, rising health consciousness, a demand for natural ingredients, and the expansion of urban populations coupled with higher disposable incomes that encourage the exploration of gourmet, international, and niche food categories. Secular tailwinds benefiting Beyond Food Mart include the essential nature of the convenience and food retail industry, ensuring constant consumer demand, alongside the ongoing innovation in product offerings and flavor profiles that continuously create market opportunities. The competitive dynamics within the "Other Specialty Food Stores" segment are highly fragmented, as evidenced by the 9,245 companies operating in the U.S., presenting both challenges and opportunities for a brand with a differentiated offering. Macro forces such as increased grocery spending, rising online grocery sales, and consumer polarization further shape this landscape, creating a fertile ground for well-positioned franchise investments like Beyond Food Mart that cater to diverse and evolving customer needs.

The financial commitment required for a Beyond Food Mart franchise opportunity is substantial, reflecting the scope and potential of its comprehensive convenience store model. The franchise fee for Beyond Food Mart is consistently stated as $30,000, representing the initial upfront cost for the right to operate under the brand’s established system and intellectual property. The estimated total initial investment required to open a Beyond Food Mart franchise exhibits significant variability, with ranges provided from $708,670 to $5,802,670, and another source indicating $749,670 to $5,843,670, which covers essential elements such as setup costs, necessary equipment, and the initial franchise fee. A broader database further refines this, citing an investment range from $189,800 to $4.50 million, suggesting that the discrepancy is likely due to varying formats, geographical locations, and the extent of build-out versus conversion of existing sites. This wide range implies that the Beyond Food Mart franchise can be considered a premium investment, particularly at the higher end, but also offers a more accessible entry point depending on the specific model chosen. The minimum liquid capital required for a Beyond Food Mart franchise is $395,000, an amount directly influenced by factors such as the chosen location, specific build-out costs, and the particular franchise model selected by the investor. While specific ongoing royalty rates for Beyond Food Mart are not explicitly detailed, industry benchmarks for similar retail franchises typically range from 4% to 8% of gross sales, which is a standard structure across the retail sector to fund operational assistance, continuous marketing initiatives, technology updates, and overall brand development. Additionally, franchisees commonly contribute to a national advertising fund, with typical contributions in the retail sector ranging from 1% to 3% of sales, which supports broader brand awareness and promotional campaigns. These ongoing fees are critical components of the total cost of ownership, ensuring sustained support and brand growth for the franchisee. The parent company structure involves Mark Sater and Nick Fahed co-owning and overseeing multiple affiliated entities that provide crucial support to the Beyond Food Mart business and manage the intellectual property sublicensed to franchisees, indicating a robust corporate backing for the brand.

The operating model for a Beyond Food Mart franchise is centered around providing a modern, curated convenience store experience, often integrated within a broader motor fuel and power retailing facility. Daily operations for a franchisee involve meticulous attention to local market analysis, dedicated focus on inventory management to ensure a fresh and unique product offering, diligent staffing, and unwavering adherence to brand standards to navigate a competitive landscape. The labor model necessitates a hands-on approach, as general insights from the franchise industry emphasize that owning a franchise is a demanding endeavor requiring significant personal financial, management, and business skills, indicating it is not an "absentee" business. Beyond Food Mart offers flexible format options, primarily focusing on convenience stores situated at specified locations, typically co-located with motor fuel and power retailing facilities. Recent expansion plans, as detailed in June 2022, exemplify this comprehensive approach, including a 7,274 square-foot, 24/7 convenience store, an eight-island gas station, a 1,893-square-foot carwash, a drive-thru for coffee and pre-packaged foods, and two electric vehicle charging stations in Murrieta, California, showcasing a multifaceted operational blueprint. The training program for new Beyond Food Mart franchisees is comprehensive, delivered through a blend of in-person and virtual modules over a two-week period, with the primary in-person component conducted at the corporate headquarters in Chino, California. This initial training is supplemented by a detailed operations manual and continuous ongoing support resources from the franchisor, which include operational assistance, marketing initiatives, technology updates, and brand development efforts. The franchisor also actively recommends a network of experienced operators, fostering peer learning and collaborative growth among its franchisees. Regarding territory structure, Beyond Food Mart offers franchises for the development and operation of convenience stores at specified locations, which are "usually a motor fuel and power retailing facility or similar location," indicating a site-specific approach rather than broad exclusive territories. While specific multi-unit requirements are not detailed, the comprehensive nature of the model and the leadership team’s background in managing various retail and real estate ventures suggest potential for multi-unit ownership for qualified investors.

A critical aspect of evaluating any franchise opportunity is its financial performance, and for Beyond Food Mart, it is important to note that Item 19 financial performance data is not disclosed in the current Franchise Disclosure Document. This means the franchisor is not providing specific figures for average revenue per unit, median revenue, or profit margins, and is legally prohibited from making any financial performance claims, whether verbally or in writing. The absence of Item 19 can sometimes indicate that a system is relatively new and still establishing a verifiable financial track record, or that unit-level results are not consistently strong enough to be presented in the FDD. In the absence of specific franchisor-provided financial performance representations, prospective franchisees must rely on broader industry benchmarks and the brand's operational footprint to infer potential. The U.S. Specialty Food Stores market, where Beyond Food Mart primarily operates, recorded a market size of $32.4 billion in 2024. More specifically, the "Other Specialty Food Stores" segment in the U.S. generated a total revenue of $9.5 billion in 2024 across 9,245 companies. This implies an average revenue per company of approximately $1.02 million within this specific segment, although this is a broad industry average and not a direct representation of Beyond Food Mart unit performance. Beyond Food Mart's strategic market position, aiming to redefine convenience by offering a curated selection of unique snacks, prepared foods, and beverages beyond necessities, aligns with the growing consumer preference for premium, organic, and artisanal products, which are key drivers of growth in the global specialty food market projected to reach USD 433.36 billion by 2032. However, the brand’s current scale of 4 franchised units, despite having started offering franchises in 2016, suggests a slow initial growth trajectory, potentially indicating a very nascent franchising effort where unit-level financial performance might still be in the process of establishing a consistent and robust track record. These signals collectively highlight that while the market segment is robust and growing, Beyond Food Mart is in an early stage of its franchising journey, and investors should proceed with comprehensive due diligence, understanding the implications of the non-disclosure of Item 19 data.

The growth trajectory of Beyond Food Mart, since its inception and commencement of franchising in 2016, indicates a deliberate and measured expansion, with the brand currently operating 4 franchised units. This translates to an average of less than one net new unit per year since franchising began, suggesting a focus on controlled development rather than rapid scaling. While a news article from June 2022 mentioned Beyond Food Mart having "just one other Southwest Riverside County location — 40135 Village Road in Temecula — and another in nearby Corona, as well as three others across the Inland Empire," suggesting a total of 5-6 locations at that time, the current database reflects 4 franchised units, implying potential corporate unit conversions to franchised operations or fluctuations in the overall unit count. Recent corporate developments highlight a commitment to innovation and expansion, as evidenced by plans in June 2022 to open a substantial 7,274 square-foot, 24/7 convenience store, an eight-island gas station, a 1,893-square-foot carwash, a drive-thru for coffee and pre-packaged foods, and two electric vehicle charging stations in Murrieta, California. This multifaceted approach demonstrates the brand’s strategic vision to integrate diverse revenue streams and adapt to evolving consumer needs in the motor fuel and convenience sectors. The competitive moat for Beyond Food Mart is significantly strengthened by its emphasis on quality service, enticing products, and forward-looking adaptations for renewable fuels, including hydrogen and electric vehicle charging. Ash Sater, as CTO | CXO, spearheads strategic planning, research and development, and deployment strategies, and is responsible for developing much of the company's patents and intellectual property related to customer experience through his Experiential Design Studio. This dedicated focus on intellectual property and an enhanced customer experience represents a core competitive advantage, differentiating Beyond Food Mart in a crowded market. The brand is actively adapting to current market conditions by integrating renewable fuels and EV charging infrastructure, catering to increasing consumer demand for unique and premium products, rising health consciousness, and natural ingredients, aligning with the broader market trends that project the global specialty food stores market to reach USD 433.36 billion by 2032.

The ideal franchisee for a Beyond Food Mart franchise opportunity is an individual possessing a robust entrepreneurial spirit coupled with significant operational acumen. Given the demanding nature of running a comprehensive convenience store, often co-located with motor fuel and power retailing facilities, the role is best suited for an owner-operator rather than an absentee investor. Prospective franchisees should demonstrate substantial personal financial, management, and business skills to navigate the complexities of inventory management, staffing, and maintaining brand standards within a competitive retail landscape. Experience in managing retail and real estate businesses, developing fuel stations, retail centers, and fast-food establishments, similar to the background of Rabih Sater, the Director of Operations, would be highly advantageous. While specific multi-unit expectations or requirements are not explicitly stated, the leadership team's extensive experience in overseeing multiple affiliated entities suggests that the brand may be open to or even encourage multi-unit development for qualified and high-performing franchisees in the future. The geographic focus for Beyond Food Mart has historically been concentrated in Southern California, with previous locations mentioned in Temecula, Corona, and across the Inland Empire, and planned expansion in Murrieta, California. This regional concentration indicates a strategy of building density in specific, high-potential markets. Franchises are offered for specified locations, which are typically "a motor fuel and power retailing facility or similar location," emphasizing a strategic real estate approach tied to high-traffic commercial sites. The initial training program spans two weeks, providing a foundational timeline for operational readiness, though the overall timeline from signing a franchise agreement to the grand opening can vary significantly based on site selection, permitting, and construction.

Beyond Food Mart presents a compelling franchise opportunity for investors seeking to enter the resilient and growing convenience store and specialty food market with a forward-thinking brand. The investment thesis centers on a unique convenience store concept that curates products beyond mere necessities, aligning with the surging consumer demand for premium, organic, and artisanal goods. Its strategic integration with motor fuel and electric vehicle charging facilities positions it to capitalize on future trends in transportation and consumer behavior. The broader industry context is exceptionally robust, with the global specialty food market projected to reach a formidable USD 433.36 billion by 2032, and the global food & grocery retail market anticipated to expand to USD 14,781.1 billion by 2030, underscoring a strong long-term demand curve. While the initial investment range is substantial, spanning from $189,800 to $4.50 million, and financial performance data is not disclosed in the FDD, the brand's leadership team, including Mark Sater and Nick Fahed, brings extensive experience in real estate, petroleum, and franchise development. This leadership depth, combined with Ash Sater’s focus on patented customer experience innovation, provides a potential differentiator in a competitive market. PeerSense provides exclusive due diligence data including SBA lending history, the brand's FPI score of 50 (Moderate), location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and side-by-side comparison tools. Explore the complete Beyond Food Mart franchise profile on PeerSense to access the full suite of independent franchise intelligence data.