Franchisee Success Stories
Meet real entrepreneurs who partnered with Costa Vida and helped grow our brand from a single restaurant to dozens of thriving locations across North America.
Sean Collins & Dave Rutter – From First Franchisees to Brand Leaders
Opened Costa Vida’s first franchise in Provo, UT in 2004—later became brand owners and scaled the company nationwide.
The Journey: After dining at Costa Vida, Collins and Rutter became its first franchise partners in Provo. By 2008, they had opened 13 stores and realized the brand’s vast potential.
Transformation: In 2009, they acquired the brand. Under their leadership, locations grew from 23 to 49 by 2012, while sales increased from $22M to $30M+.
Growth: By 2015, Costa Vida had nearly 75 units and expanded across the U.S. and Canada.
“We all love to go to the beach, and Costa Vida reminds people of that feeling they get at the beach… Everything is made from scratch.” — Sean Collins
Debbie Justesen – Multi-Unit Franchise Owner, Idaho
Opened multiple Costa Vida locations in Idaho, proving the brand’s strength in new regional markets.
The Journey: Debbie, a seasoned entrepreneur, saw Costa Vida as the perfect mix of fresh food and growth opportunity. She launched her first Idaho location, quickly followed by additional units.
Impact: Her locations became community favorites, often outperforming local expectations. She credits Costa Vida’s marketing support and menu innovation for consistent growth.
“Costa Vida’s support system gave me confidence. Even in competitive markets, our restaurants thrive because the food and culture resonate with guests.”
Multi-Unit Operators – Expanding Across States
Experienced operators leveraged Costa Vida’s systems to scale across multiple locations with consistency and efficiency.
The Journey: Many franchisees started with one restaurant before expanding into multiple territories, thanks to strong supplier networks and operational playbooks.
Impact: Multi-unit owners benefit from cost efficiencies, brand recognition, and Costa Vida’s data-driven marketing support.
“Scaling with Costa Vida is seamless. The systems are proven, and support teams know how to help us grow the right way.”