Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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 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.

...

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

  • Crystal Stokely

    I can’t say enough good things about The Real Food Academy. They had our broker group in for a Discovery Day, and it was awesome. I loved the hands on experience, and it was so much fun. Truly a great way to learn, and I love that their focus is on children. It’s so important to teach children at an early age. The Real Food Academy is truly making a difference in their community and hopefully they’ll have franchises in more areas across the US soon.
  • chris tucker

    I recently had the pleasure of attending a Discovery Day and Thursday cooking class at the Real Food Academy, and I can't recommend it highly enough! As a franchise broker invited along with others with the Franchise Brokers Association, I was eager to learn about this innovative franchise concept that offers cooking classes and birthday parties for both kids and adults. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by the owners, Maria and Arthur. Their passion for healthy cooking and commitment to sharing delicious, real, tasty food with the community is truly inspiring. They created an amazing atmosphere that made the experience both enjoyable and educational. During the cooking class, I was impressed by how engaging and interactive the session was. Maria guided us through the process of preparing tasty, healthy meals, providing valuable tips and techniques along the way. It was evident that they are dedicated to empowering individuals and families to embrace a healthier lifestyle through cooking and their classes. What stood out to me the most is their vision of bringing real, tasty food to the masses. This franchise concept is not just about cooking—it's about fostering a love for healthy eating and creating memorable experiences for people of all ages. If you're considering a wellness and food franchise opportunity or simply looking for a fun and educational cooking class, I highly recommend checking out the Real Food Academy. Maria and Arthur have built something truly special, and I can’t wait to see how their franchise flourishes! Thank you for an unforgettable experience!
  • Maggie Billy-Fisher

    Chef Tony and Maya provided an amazing cooking class at The Real Food Academy! Their passion, expertise, and engaging teaching style made the experience both fun and educational. The hands-on approach and delicious recipes made it a truly memorable experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking to learn, cook, and enjoy great food.
  • Kevin Orgill

    This was amazing! The food was delicious and more importantly I learned skills that I can take with me forever! Will definitely be coming back for more classes
  • James Daniel

    So much fun! I can see why this concept is so popular! Great Chef! Easy instructions!
  • Susan Guerra

    Great experience! Fun and delicious food! Definitely recommend for a team building event.
  • Betsy Little

    We did this activity for a work team building and it was so much fun. I’ve done other cooking classes and this by far the best one. Chef Toni was fantastic and the food was amazing! Highly recommend for any group!
  • Pablo Liberato

    Amazing experience and super friendly staff. We will try a new culinary adventure with them soon!
  • Daniel Gilles

    Amazing time!! Chef Paolo was enthusiastic and hilarious we eat we laughed we learned we drank if I could come back every week I would!
  • Alex Perez

    Did the pasta class with my wife. Chef Tony was awesome. Great event, good pacing, delicious food!
  • Stephanie Wendling Hampton

    Had an amazing time as always! I highly recommend as a date or friends hangout!!
  • Jeff Kahan

    So fun!
  • Keren Marom

    The Real Food Academy is an AMAZING place for any event! Everything was so professional, clean, well-prepared, catered to our group's culinary needs, and simply FUN! Thank you Chef Maria and the entire team for an unforgettable experience!! Keren
  • Jeanne Spivack

    Everything was amazing! Chef Toni was wonderful and the food was fantastic! We loved every minute of our celebration!! Thank you!!!
  • Liza S

    We had a great time celebrating a friend’s birthday. Chef Toni took her time explaining and teaching us m. The food was delicious. Great for all ages.
  • Rudi Smit

    A Huge Thank You to the Real Food Academy! On behalf of the entire Carnival Adventures Leadership Conference team, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Real Food Academy for hosting us last night. It was truly an incredible team-building experience and the perfect way to close out our conference on a high note. From start to finish, the event was flawlessly executed, with every detail thoughtfully planned to ensure a fun, engaging, and inclusive atmosphere. The team at Real Food Academy went above and beyond to make the evening special, and it was evident in the enthusiasm and joy shared by all. Everyone had an absolute blast! We deeply appreciate your dedication and effort in making this such a memorable experience. Without a doubt, we’ll be looking forward to booking with you again in the future. Thank you again for everything—you made our event truly exceptional!
  • Christopher Froemming

    Amazing
  • Jelena Brocic

    Amazing and unique experience! Thank you so much for having us !
  • loyson pereira

    This place is amazing and the chef Maria Cummins is amazing
  • MATEUSZ KINOWSKI

    A lot of fun to specially with larger groups. Highly recommended!!!
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