Project Lean Nation Franchise
Turnkey Meal Prep Franchise | Low Overhead, Recurring Revenue, Premium Branding
$100,000
$60,000
29
2021
Scottsdale,AZ
Tim Dougherty
About Project Lean Nation
Project LeanNation (PLN) is where fitness, food, and franchising collide—and it’s unlike anything else in the $47B health & wellness space.
At its core, PLN is a fresh-prepared meal business—but the magic is in the model. Customers pick up their weekly meals in-store, where they also check in with your team for accountability coaching and community support. That means you're not just selling food—you’re delivering results people stick with. And because it runs on a subscription model, your revenue is recurring and predictable from day one.
There’s no cooking. No food waste. No back-of-house chaos. All meals are made at a central kitchen and shipped fresh to your store—keeping operations lean and ownership accessible, even for first-time entrepreneurs.
With a bold brand, premium packaging, and nearly a decade of proven success, PLN is built for owners who want a high-margin, modern business that genuinely changes lives—starting with their own.
Franchise Unit Trends & Revenue
29
8
$687,421
* in 2024
Franchise Fees
$60,000
7.0%
Gross Sales
2.0%
Gross Sales
Why Choose Project Lean Nation?
Project LeanNation is more than a meal prep brand—it’s a recurring revenue machine with real impact.
Unlike trendy health concepts that fizzle out, PLN is built on consistency, community, and serious staying power. Every week, members pick up their fresh, ready-made meals while getting coached by your in-store team—building accountability, results, and retention that most food brands only dream of.
What makes it different?
- Healthiest Profits – In 2025, the average gross revenue for 19 locations open 12+ months was $687,421. The top 21% earned $1.33M, and the flagship location earned $1.8M with 23.4% EBITDA.
- No cooking, no waste – All meals are made at PLN’s commercial kitchen and shipped to your store fresh.
- Subscription-based revenue – Customers pre-pay weekly, giving you steady income and clear visibility.
- Low overhead retail – Small footprint, lean team, and no expensive kitchen buildout.
- Make Your Community Healthier – Your store becomes a wellness hub—where customers don’t just grab meals, they transform their habits and lives.
If you want a business where people don’t just buy—they belong—PLN is one of the most exciting brands in franchising right now.
Starting Costs & Investment Requirements
$237,000 - $354,000
$400,000
$100,000
Training & Support
You don’t need a nutrition degree or restaurant background to succeed with Project LeanNation. You just need the right mindset—and we’ll train you on everything else.
It starts with our in-person onboarding at HQ, where you’ll learn the full operating playbook—from sales and marketing to coaching systems, customer onboarding, and store operations. You’ll walk away confident, prepared, and energized to launch.
Once open, you’re never alone. We provide:
- Step-by-step pre-opening support (site selection, buildout, launch)
- Done-for-you local marketing to drive member sign-ups
- Ongoing training for you and your staff
- Access to a tech stack that tracks customer progress, nutrition, and retention
- One-on-one coaching from HQ to help you hit growth goals
This is more than a business-in-a-box—it’s a mission-driven model with serious infrastructure. Whether you're a first-time owner or seasoned operator, PLN is designed to help you launch strong, grow fast, and create real impact in your community.
History
Project LeanNation was born from a simple mission: to make healthy living easier, more accessible, and more sustainable.
Founder Tim Dougherty started preparing meals out of his home for friends and family—combining his passion for nutrition with a desire to help people take control of their health. As word spread, demand exploded. What began as a side project quickly became a movement, leading to the opening of the first Project LeanNation storefront in Rochester, NY.
From there, the model evolved into something unique: a modern retail space offering chef-prepared meals, paired with in-store accountability coaching and a subscription-based system that drives real results. Today, PLN has grown into a national franchise brand with a bold mission, proven economics, and a passionate community of owners helping their neighborhoods eat better and live stronger. The future is bright—and this brand is just getting started.
Ideal Candidate
PLN isn’t just for health nuts or gym rats—it’s for business builders who want to combine impact and income.
The ideal owner is:
- Mission-driven – You care about helping people improve their health and habits.
- Community-focused – You want to create a local hub where people come to grow, not just grab food.
- Process-oriented – You like following proven systems and can lead a small, motivated team.
- Hands-on or semi-absentee – Whether you run it daily or manage a GM, you’re committed to making it thrive.
If you’ve got leadership skills, a passion for wellness, and a desire to build a business that actually helps people—this might be your franchise.