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We Make Real Food Fun

At The Real Food Academy, we create a fun learning environment that encourages everyone to explore delicious recipes and master the art of cooking. Learn how you can change your community with a Real Food Academy cooking class franchise.

Free Industry Outlook

Set the table for a revolutionary and culture changing opportunity!

Layers to Love as a Franchise Owner

The Best Cooking Class Franchise

A cooking class franchise with The Real Food Academy gives you a chance to combine your talents as an educator, chef, entertainer and party planner into an experience of a lifetime.

You can pack creativity, education, fun and good food into every business-building opportunity.

  • Children, tween, and teen cooking classes
  • Birthday parties, school field trips, summer camps
  • Adult culinary classes and events
  • Team-building parties, special events, and outings

This is a chance to bring together good times, good tastes and good eating habits into a life-changing experience for guests of all ages – and you!

Fresh made appetizers at The Real Food Academy - the best cooking class franchise in Miami.
Fresh hummis and carrots made in one of The Real Food Academy's cooking classes.
Fresh cheese and grape platter at The Real Food Academy's cooking class.

Creating the Pre-Eminent Destination for Personalized Cooking Events

Our Vision

We’re on a mission to make The Real Food Academy the destination of choice for personalized cooking events in towns just like yours. We also want to demonstrate how real food prepared well can make a difference in people’s lives.

At the heart of our business concept is a genuine belief that everyone can learn healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. That’s why our cooking studios offer hands-on learning experiences for foodies of all ages – from youngsters, tweens and teens to moms, dads, Baby Boomers and beyond.

If you have a passion for teaching, food and fun, this is a great opportunity to love what you do and do what you love. You can enjoy the experience of a lifetime while growing the business of your dreams.

Investment & Revenue

How Much Does It Cost To Open a Real Food Academy?

Invest in your future. Find fulfillment in pursuing your passion for health. Here’s what it takes to own a cooking franchise with The Real Food Academy.

Kids cooking together at a Real Food Academy kids party. Two adults cooking together and having a great time at The Real Food Academy!

Initial Investment:
$332,100 - $511,950


In 2023, Our Per-Unit (AUV) Volume Was:
$1,171,591.38

Refer to our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Items 7 & 19 for specifics on startup costs.

An adult and kid cooking together at The Real Food Academy. Adults cooking together at one of the adult cooking classes at The Real Food Academy.

Available Territories

Where Can You Open Your Own Real Food Academy Franchise?

We're actively expanding The Real Food Academy across the United States, and we're looking for passionate individuals to join us. Whether you're in a bustling city or a growing suburb, there's an opportunity to bring a Real Food Academy to your area.

Let's explore how you can open a franchise and create a space where people gather to learn, cook, and enjoy smarter, more nutritious meals. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of your community.

The Opportunity
An image of the cooking camps offered at The Real Food Academy - a unique cooking franchise with amazing classes and different cooking experiences!

Join Our Real Food

Revolution

No other cooking event franchise keeps it real at every meal like The Real Food Academy. Whole foods take center stage at our events. You can help educate food lovers to love foods that are good for you and taste great as a franchise owner with The Real Food Academy. As we like to say, learning to cook healthy is easy!

Our Philosophy: Make it Real

Our name says it all. We’re all about real food, real learning experiences, and real change in food choices for a better way of life. Imagine how you can bring a real experience to the table that can transform people’s lives, including your own.

Real Foods,
Not Processed

Demonstrate how healthy food choices can make foodie favorites taste good and be good for you.

Real Experiences,
Not Passive

Get creative with hands-on learning activities for every age.

Real Fun,
Not Fabricated

Set the table for an entertaining event, filled with laughter, learning and a love for good food.

Real Learning,
Not Textbook

Engage your guests with teaching techniques you can access in our training and support programs.

Real Potential,
Not Unimaginable

Take advantage of multiple revenue streams to expand your business and generate lifelong rewards.

A The Real Food Academy serving dish icon - the best cooking franchise school in your local area.

Put Your Love for Family, Food and Fun to Work for You

Here's what it takes to become part of The Real Food Academy franchise family.

Passion

A profound passion for health and wellness.

Interest

Interested in growing a brand dedicated to showing how real, well-prepared food can impact future generations.

Mindset

Possesses a lifelong learner mindset, eager for training and continuous support.

Talent

Talented in crafting memorable learning experiences for both children and adults.

Join Our Real Food Revolution

Bring The Real Food Academy to Your Community

When you invest in a franchise with The Real Food Academy, you become part of a movement that embraces eating whole, unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods. This style of eating has gained traction in recent years as a way to promote health and wellness.

Here are key components of a whole foods diet.

  • No highly processed or refined foods
  • Foods that are free from artificial additives, preservatives, and chemicals
  • Foods grown by local farmers and food producers
  • Emphasis on organic and locally sourced foods
  • Food choices that reduce environmental impacts

We’re actively expanding Chef Maria’s real food brand across the United States.

Interested in opening a franchise location? Let’s explore ways to expand our brand in your community.

Take the next step to feed your passion for food, fun, health and wellness and join our culinary journey as a franchise owner.

Steps to Owning a Real Food Academy Franchise

Ready to Own a Franchise with The Real Food Academy? Here’s How to Get Started

1.

Complete our request for information form

Go to Form

2.

Meet our franchise development team.

3.

Review our franchise documentation (FDD and Franchise Agreement).

4.

Finalize financing and territory selection.

5.

Build out your location with our design specs.

6.

Train with our experts.

7.

Open The Real Food Academy in your community!

The Real Food Academy head chef Maria.

Meet the CEO

Chef Maria Cummins

Maria Cummins knows her way around a kitchen. From her family's cocina to The Real Food Academy, she brings healthy cooking to life.

A love of cooking and an entrepreneurial spirit gave Maria her inspiration to start an after-school cooking program for kids. She held her first classes at a local Montessori school in Miami. Word spread quickly as the program gained popularity with kids and families alike. Maria added birthday parties, school field trips and more classes when her business launched in 2008.

Maria and her husband Arthur now invite foodies like you to join their culinary journey with Chef Maria's simple rule for success:

“Eat real food — together!”

Learn how you can bring Chef Maria’s Real Food brand to a location in your community.

Franchise Blog

Chef Maria Cummins at The Real Food Academy showing off her skills with a pan - learn about the best franchise opportunity in your local area, FL

Franchises for Sale in Florida

South Florida is a hotbed of opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to invest in the franchise industry. With its vibrant economy, diverse population, and tourism appeal, it's no wonder that South Florida is a prime destination for those seeking to own a franchise.

The The Real Food Academy team in front of our building in your local area - explore the food franchise.

Feast Your Way to Success: Exploring Food Franchises and The Real Food Academy

In an era where wellness and healthy eating are not just trends but a lifestyle, The Real Food Academy, a culinary school franchise in your local area, FL, emerges as a beacon of innovation and education in the culinary world. Explore why The Real Food Academy stands out in this competitive sector!

Two girls having fun and learning healthy recipes at a Real Food Academy kid's cooking class.

Why Cooking Classes Are the Ideal Birthday Party Event

Every parent knows the thrill of seeing their child's eyes light up with excitement and joy during their birthday celebration. Choosing the perfect event for these special occasions can be challenging, especially with the myriad of options available. However, among the most novel and engaging options, hosting a cooking class stands out.

Arthur Cummings, one of our founders at The Real Food Academy, teaches a kid's cooking class.

Savor Success in the Sunshine State

When it comes to culinary delights and diverse dining experiences, Florida stands out as a vibrant hub of the foodservice industry. From mouthwatering seafood to sumptuous Latin American cuisine, the state offers a rich tapestry of flavors to please every palate.

A Real Food Academy cook teaching a young child at one of our growing kids' cooking classes.

Exploring the Children's Cooking Class Franchise Industry

The kid's cooking classes franchise industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by the rising interest in culinary education for children. At The Real Food Academy, our junior chef and adult cooking classes in Miami are about good times, great tastes, and healthy eating habits.

A group of adults at a Real Food Academy cooking class.

Cook Your Way to Success

By investing in The Real Food Academy franchise, you will join a business committed to promoting healthy eating habits and providing a fun and engaging experience for its customers. If you want a piece of this billion-dollar pie, look no further than The Real Food Academy's franchise offering.

Franchise FAQs

The initial investment ranges from $332,100 to $511,950 to own a franchise with The Real Food Academy. Please review our FDD for more details.

No. We do not provide direct financing. However, we may refer you to financial institutions that may be able to help you finance your business.

A background in education and a passion for food, health and wellness can make a difference in this industry. So can strong skills in customer service, event planning and delivering a 5-star experience.

The keys to our training program start with hands-on training with our founder Chef Maria and our leadership team. You also have access to a library of video tutorials that can guide you as you set up classes, camps and events. Our marketing assistance helps you spread the word about your cooking studio and upcoming classes and events. We are always available to answer questions and provide support throughout your relationship with us.

Complete our Get Started form. We’ll contact you to discuss all of the important details you need to make an informed decision.

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Words We Cook By

We Don’t Change the Dish. We change the ingredients!

The Real Food Academy reviews plate icon.

Create an Unforgettable Experience

Set the table for Events filled with laughter, learning and good food

  • Erika Soto

    We recently had the pleasure of attending a Halloween-themed cooking class at the real food academy with our kids, and it was a delightful experience! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was festive, filled with spooky decorations and a warm, welcoming vibe. The instructor was fantastic, engaging with both the kids and adults, making everyone feel comfortable and excited about cooking. The recipes we worked on were creative and fun, perfectly suited for the Halloween theme. Our kids loved getting their hands dirty and exploring new ingredients, and they were thrilled to see their creations come to life. What stood out to us was how the class combined cooking skills with Halloween-themed fun. We made spooky snacks and treats that not only tasted great but also looked fantastic. It was wonderful to see our children’s creativity shine as they decorated their dishes. Overall, this cooking class was a great way to bond as a family while learning something new. It sparked our kids' interest in cooking and gave us some fantastic ideas for Halloween treats we can recreate at home. We highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a fun, interactive activity to enjoy with their kids!
  • Mickie

    We had so much fun today. My husband and I went there to celebrate our 2nd year anniversary. Chef Maria and the team were amazing. We had the chance to make indian food.
  • Toral Shastri

    Amazing!!
  • Paul Higgins

    Amazing evening! I never cooked anything so delicious in my life. Definitely recommend!
  • Cyana Alvarez

    Chef Paolo was amazing! It was a great teambuilding event! We had a great time!
  • Amanda Limongi

    We had a great time at the sushi class! Learned a ton and had some yummy food. We'll definitely be back.
  • Beatriz Cardona

    We had an amazing experience cooking with the guidance of Cheff Maria Teresa. She made it easy to follow and ingredientes were fresh and food very tasty! We had a great time! Thank you!🩷
  • Natalia Gomez

    Awesome time amazing food
  • Juliana Senior

    Amazing experience. Food was delicious. Chef Maria is so nice.
  • Angelica Corredor

    My daughter and her friends had the best time at the party, Chef Maya was great and she made the whole experience super fun for them. I really recommend this place.
  • Khalea Kellyman

    Paolo was an amazing instructor, our group had an amazing time 10/10 would definitely come back
  • Paige Walker

    I planned a corporate event here, bringing 20 people together from all over the world for a fun team-building experience that included delicious food and drinks. Maria accommodated all of our very particular requests, and made sure everyone had a great experience start to finish. The space is beautiful and the food was fantastic. Highly recommended for a private party.
  • Wade Groves

    What an amazing team event we had!!!!! It was a lot of fun making pasta and caprese salads!
  • Jorge Carbonell

    Great team building event. Thanks Maria and team. Looking forward to the next event. Ty
  • EJ Ortiz

    Amazing experience with Real Food Academy! Thank you for hosting our group and for the experience!!!
  • Fabiola Duncan

    Such an amazing experience! A group of 12 celebrated my cousins 40th birthday and from start to finish Chef Paulo took care of us. The food was hands down delicious as ever and I plan to cook them at home now! My cousin said the experience was perfect and that’s what truly mattered! Will definitely be going back! So glad I found this gem 💎
  • Maria Isabel Daza

    We absolutely LOVE The Real Food Academy. We have been coming here for 5+ years. We have celebrated birthdays, attended many Sat classes, and some mommy and me classes. I have only wonderful memories and great experiences. HIGHLY RECOMMEN. All of their recipes are clean and unique. They make cooking simple. The Real Food Academy has given my daughters a solid foundation and joy for cooking. Thank you Chef Maria 🥚💚🥖🍴🧄
  • Lauren Jessica

    Chef Paolo was amazing! So patient and informative. Our group had an amazing time. Definitely recommend
  • evey j

    Had an amazing time celebrating a birthday!! Our chef was so much fun!!! Thank you all again for tonight!!
  • Felicia Schrecongost

    This was an immaculate class. I learned so much. The food was AMAZING!!! I recommend anyone please if you are even slightly debating, please come here!!
A table with ingredients and food at The Real Food Academy.

Ready to Get Started?

Let us introduce you to the exciting education enrichment industry and demonstrate how it can transform your personal and professional life