Our Story

About Zupas — Freshness in Every Bowl

We are a passionate team of food lovers dedicated to bringing zupas — nourishing soups, vibrant salads, and bold sandwiches — to tables across United States. Every dish starts with real ingredients and ends with a smile.

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12+

Years of Flavor

180K

Happy Guests

95+

Menu Items

4.9

Average Rating

Zupas restaurant interior with fresh food preparation

2012 Founded with a vision

Our Story

From a Small Kitchen to a Beloved Brand

Zupas was born in 2012 from a simple idea: that a bowl of freshly made soup could change your entire day. Our founder, Maria Reyes, started crafting zupas — the kind her grandmother made — in a tiny kitchen in Phoenix, Arizona. Word spread quickly. Neighbors, then neighborhoods, then the whole city fell in love.

What began as a weekend pop-up grew into a full-service cafe zupas experience, serving hundreds of guests daily. We expanded our menu to include hand-tossed salads, stacked sandwiches, and hand-baked breads — always honoring the principle that real ingredients make real food.

Today, Zupas operates across the United States, but our heart is still in that original kitchen where freshness, family, and flavor came first.

                                    Farm-Fresh Ingredients
                                    Sourced daily from local farms and trusted partners
                                

                                    Made with Care
                                    Every bowl, every plate, prepared fresh to order
                                

                                    Community First
                                    Giving back to the neighborhoods that built us
                                

                                    Sustainable Practices
                                    Eco-friendly packaging and zero-waste kitchen
                                

Our Values

The Principles That Guide Every Dish

At cafe zupas, we believe great food is an act of love. Our values aren't posted on a wall — they live in every ingredient, every interaction, every bowl.

Freshness Always

We never compromise on freshness. Our ingredients arrive daily, and nothing sits on the shelf overnight. If it's not fresh, it doesn't get served.

Crafted with Purpose

Every recipe is intentional. Our chefs bring skill, creativity, and passion to the kitchen every single day — because you deserve food that's made with meaning.

Honest Hospitality

We welcome every guest like family. Warm service, genuine smiles, and the kind of care that makes you feel at home — no matter who you are or where you're from.

Planet Conscious

From compostable packaging to energy-efficient kitchens, we make choices that are good for people and the planet. Sustainability isn't a buzzword — it's our responsibility.

The Team

Meet the People Behind Zupas

Our team is a diverse group of culinary enthusiasts, hospitality veterans, and community champions. Every person on our team shares one thing: a love for food done right.

Maria Reyes

Founder & CEO

Maria turned her grandmother's zupas recipes into a beloved brand. She leads with heart and always puts the guest first.

James Okafor

Head Chef

With 15 years of culinary mastery, James crafts every menu item to balance bold flavors with wholesome nutrition.

Priya Sharma

Operations Director

Priya ensures every Zupas location runs seamlessly — from farm sourcing to the final plate reaching your table.

Daniel Torres

Community Manager

Daniel connects Zupas with the communities we serve — organizing events, partnerships, and local giving initiatives.

Want to be part of our growing team?

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Our History

The Zupas Journey Over the Years

From a single kitchen to a nationwide name — here's how Zupas grew one bowl at a time.

2012

The First Bowl Is Served

Maria Reyes opens a small weekend pop-up in Phoenix, AZ, serving her grandmother's zupas recipes to neighbors. Lines form before opening every Saturday.

2014

First Permanent Location Opens

Zupas opens its first brick-and-mortar cafe at 1935 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix. Within six months, we're fully booked for lunch every weekday.

2016

Cafe Zupas Menu Expands

Head Chef James Okafor joins the team, introducing hand-crafted salads, artisan sandwiches, and seasonal specials. Our cafe zupas concept earns regional acclaim.

2018

Catering & Corporate Services Launch

Zupas expands into catering for corporate events, weddings, and private gatherings. We serve over 10,000 catering guests in our first year.

2020

Online Ordering & Delivery

Zupas pivots to online ordering and contactless delivery. Our community rallied behind us, and we grew our delivery footprint across three states.

2022

Franchise Program Launches

After years of demand, Zupas opens its franchise program. Our first franchise partners open locations in Texas, Colorado, and California.

2024

180,000+ Guests Served & Growing

Zupas celebrates over 180,000 guests served, a 4.9-star average rating, and a team of 200+ passionate food lovers across the United States.

Ready to Taste?

Come Experience Zupas for Yourself

Whether you're stopping in for lunch, planning a catered event, or exploring franchise opportunities — we'd love to have you at the Zupas table.

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