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Love what you do and do what you love with a cooking studio of your own

Free Industry Outlook

Set the table for a revolutionary and culture changing opportunity!

Connect Your Passion for Cooking and Kids with a Rewarding Franchising Program

Our franchise owners have a healthy love of food. They also care deeply about shaping healthy eating habits in every generation.

Here are qualities that blend well with The Real Food Academy's franchising program.

  • Education background.
  • Passion for health and wellness.
  • Hospitality skills.
  • Culinary arts skills.
  • Event planning experience.
  • Dedication to customer service.
  • Attention to detail.
Fresh made appetizers at The Real Food Academy's cooking classes.
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.

Join The Real Food Academy's Rewarding Franchising Program

Start-Up Costs

We’ve learned many lessons over the years about running a business, expanding programs, delivering a 5-star experience for guests in our classes and events. Take advantage of our knowledge and experience as a franchise owner with The Real Food Academy.

Your initial investment unlocks access to our comprehensive training program and full support throughout your relationship with us.

  • Site selection and build-out guidance to set up your cooking studio with our branding specifications.
  • Ongoing assistance before, during and after launch.
  • Pre-opening training at our flagship location in Miami.
  • Video tutorials with step-by-step instructions on daily operations.

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 2024, Our Per-Unit (AUV) Volume Was:
$1,309,922

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 Cooking Franchise School with Real Food Academy?

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.

Training and Support are Two Key Ingredients for Our Franchise Model

We’ve created a culture of learning unlike any other at The Real Food Academy. Our training platform gives you access to the tools, resources, and ongoing support you need to grow your business.

Here’s what to expect when you join our team:

Site Selection

In addition, we provide build-out guidance for your location.

Initial Training & Support

We help you launch your business with confidence.

Technology

We know to tools you need to operate your studio efficiently.

Marketing Support

You will learn how to engage guests and create a loyal following.

Industry Data

At Our Core, The Real Food Academy:

  • Turns cooking classes into a life-changing experience for kids and adults of all ages – and for franchise owners like you.
  • Creates an educational experience that helps shape healthy eating habits for generations to come.
  • Provides a destination for events focused on fun, family, and of course deliciously healthy food.

You can meet the demand for after-school activities that enrich youngsters and provide great venues for family-friendly activities as a franchise owner with The Real Food Academy Miami.

Steps to Owning a Real Food Academy Franchise

Ready to Join The Real Food Academy's Franchising Program?
Here’s How to Get Started

Take the next steps to learn how a franchise with The Real Food Academy can help you to create the destination of choice for personalized cooking events in your community and experience real personal and professional growth.

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

  • Sylvester Events

    We had an incredible experience at the Real Food Academy for our team-building cooking class! From start to finish, the entire process was seamless and professional. Booking the space was simple and efficient, and the staff made everything easy and stress-free. The location itself is beautiful—modern, welcoming, and perfectly set up for group activities. The environment fostered creativity, collaboration, and lots of fun for our team. A special thank you to Chef Toni, whose energy, expertise, and warmth made the experience truly unforgettable. Her guidance and enthusiasm kept everyone engaged and made the class both educational and enjoyable. We highly recommend the Real Food Academy for any corporate or group event. It was the perfect setting to connect, collaborate, and cook up some delicious memories!
  • Ariana Ortega

    Thank you so much… I had a great birthday. Chef Tony and Carmen… excellent service
  • Melissa

    Amazing place I had fun I cooked dinner with my family best place to go if you ever bored I mean it does take a long time to do it is a time taking event but overall it's worth the experience
  • Andres Reyes

    Great experience. We had a lot of fun.
  • JUAN LONDONO

    Amazing! Chef Maya and Rey were incredible thank you for celebrating and guiding our bday kids!
  • Daniela Herrera Gonzalez

    It was so fun and delicious! I learned so much about cooking techniques. Staff was amazing and a great experience for everyone. I highly recommend it come see Chef Maria.
  • Casey Crist

    What a fun experience for a team building event! Chef Maria was a great teacher!
  • Jorge Fernandez

    Amazing experience at the Real Food Academy! Came for a work team building event and everyone had a great time!
  • Ivis Monzon

    Maria you were fantastic, thank you for hosting us all.
  • Lizet Perez

    Our Cheff Maria was outstanding and we had a fantastic time!!!
  • GDZ Studio LLC

    Amazing experience
  • Sorymar Castillo

    It was a lovely experience! Chef Tony was the sweetest
  • Claire Garnier

    the private cooking class I arranged for my company was a success! from the planning with Maria to the class w/ Chef Tony, it was a seamless process and a great memory for my team for a good price. We choose the Latin menu w/ Empanadas, ceviche, paella and cake. Dietary restriction were perfectly accommodated. I strongly recommend, the venue is lovely and can receive small and large groups.
  • santiago roman

    Really great experience. The ceviche we made was fresh and loved the desserts 💪💪
  • Arilys Perez

    Chef Paolo and Chef Nancy were great. Do come with an appetite and a great sense of humor and the course will be fun and worth your time.
  • Edin Llamas

    This was a great experience!!!
  • Sandra Fleites

    Awesome experience highly recommend.
  • Dani Villoch

    So fun! A gem in Miami
  • Marianne Levy

    Chef Paolo was the best!!!!!
  • Stephanie Fernandes

    This was an incredibly fun experience! Definitely coming back.
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