02.07 O'Naturals - The Pulse Magazine

O’Naturals

Healthy Fast Food…Really!By Linnea Sheldon

O’Naturals bills itself as “A revolution in fast food,” and with one look at the menu you’ll have to agree. The food is made up of all-natural and organic ingredients, free of additives and preservatives. There’s something for the whole family, with choices from salads and flatbread sandwiches to Asian noodles and pizza. They even have a kids’ menu which includes such favorites as mac n’ cheese, grilled cheese, and shells and sauce.

The concept for the healthy fast-food franchise came about when Gary Hirshberg, President and CEO of Stonyfield Farms, and his wife Meg, had trouble finding healthy family meals on the road. Hirshberg co-founded O’Naturals with Mac McCabe (President and CEO) and Pam Solo. After a summer research project with Babson College students, the team was ready to move forward with the idea.

The franchise is designed to be a part of the community, and also focuses on having positive relationships with its employees. The restaurant itself is comfortable and inviting, and customers are invited to sit and relax and exchange ideas in the peaceful setting.

The food has always been the main focus, with the availability of healthy, natural foods at the forefront. Not only is the food good for you, but it’s also good for the planet, because the O’Naturals team consciously chooses growers whose farming practices improve the soil and the environment.

There are currently two MA locations, one in Acton and one in Somerville. According to McCabe, the team has had over 1,200 inquiries about new franchises from all over the U.S. as well as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

“We know Worcester is a growing area and we would be interested in speaking with qualified individuals who are interested in franchising,” McCabe said.

O’Naturals offerings also include anything from grilled steak to vegan options, and it’s a great stop for those in a rush or those who want to sit and relax for a while. Their leather couches, bookshelves, and comfortable lighting assure that customers won’t be in a rush to leave.

The restaurants also feature sustainable building materials, a community table, free wireless Internet access, and a kids’ area. The franchises offer a “Ten Percent Community Night,” an innovative idea where local non-profits host an evening and 10 percent of the night’s revenues go directly to their organization.

The team at O’Naturals is working to bring together all the aspects of healthy living, from healthy all-natural foods that are good for the environment, to helping give back to the community. The franchise is really giving new meaning to the phrase “guilt-free eating.”