Meal Assembly an Appealing and Appetizing Franchise

by Patricia Schaefer

Meal assembly franchises are a rising phenomenon in the U.S. and show every sign that they will be becoming even more prolific in the months and years ahead. Super Suppers, Pass Your Plate, The Dinner Company, and Supper Made Simple are just a few of the food preparation franchises that have been popping up from coast to coast.

The concept is simple: Save money and time -- and reduce stress -- by going to a food assembly class to prepare tasty and healthful meals. In a few hours' time, you go home to your family with, say, 12 meals that you can pop into your freezer to use when desired. Just heat the dinner and you're ready to go. There's no grocery shopping, prep work or mess in your kitchen to clean up -- and you've saved yourself 20 to 30 hours of food preparation time.

At assembly, you can tailor the meals to suit your family by, for example, omitting an ingredient or adding a little more of another. Dinners usually serve four to six people. With a typical cost of $3.00 per serving, it can be a great alternative to fat-laden take-out meals or expensive restaurant fare. For an additional fee, you can usually opt to pick up already assembled meals.

The largest and fastest growing meal assembly franchise is Super Suppers. Founder Judie Byrd created Super Suppers as a healthy, delicious and easy way for busy people and families to spend more quality time around the dinner table. Already the founder of The Culinary School of Fort Worth, Byrd refined and tested the process for over a decade at The Culinary School before opening the first Super Suppers store in 2002.

New York City Police Sergeant Gina Scarda is the owner of the soon-to-be opened Super Suppers in Bethpage, New York. The store will be launched by Scarda and her niece Holly Esposito, who will be managing the operation. A former franchise owner, Scarda chose Super Suppers from a number of food assembly franchises: "I felt Super Suppers was the best. They seem to be very supportive and geared toward the franchisee."

Part of Scarda's research included a trip to "five or six" of the 57 Super Suppers establishments in the state of Texas. She found the meals to be "delicious and healthy."

Super Suppers menus of meals change monthly. Monroeville, PA Super Suppers' February 06 menu includes Pork Medallions with Cherry Sauce, Teriyaki and Orange Glazed Beef and Broccoli, Lemon Dijon Tilapia with Confetti Rice Pilaf, and Stuffed Bell Peppers. Participants get to pick their meals from each month's selections.

One of the reasons Super Suppers appealed to Scarda is that she feels it's a great way for her family and others to stay healthy. "I don't want to see them overweight," said Scarda. "Like many other families today busy with work, school and other activities, our past dinner choices haven't always been the healthiest."

Scarda also enthused about the "social and party atmosphere," and that "it's a great way for the girls to have a guilt-free night out." In fact, Super Suppers offers private parties where a group of at least 12 people can register for a 12-meal-each food assembly. The hostess or host gets their meals free, and Super Suppers supplies drinks, hors ‘oeuvres and door prizes.

The Bethpage, NY, Super Suppers -- the first entrée assembly company in New York -- is scheduled to start up February 11, 2006. At the time of interview, Scarda said she plans to schedule classes and parties every day of the week with the exception of Sunday and possibly Monday. To avail yourself of these classes, or to find a location near you, simply go to http://www.supersuppers.com/.

Copyright 2006 Attard Communications, Inc.