Zoup! Fresh Soup: Bites Nearby

Zoup! franchise owner Andy Toomire has always been a soup fan.

As a former industrial sales representative in the automotive industry, he and his associate Matt Sall would often stop for lunch in their Michigan territory.

“I stumbled across a Zoup! franchise and really enjoyed my experience there,” Toomire said.

When Toomire later became a layoff casualty, he took the opportunity to try something different and became primary owner of the first Zoup! franchise in Illinois. Sall is also part owner.

Zoup! is located near Kohl’s and Cheeseburger in Paradise in the Mainstreet Square Shopping Plaza at Finley and Butterfield roads in Downers Grove.

“We opened January 17 to a fantastic reception,” Toomire explained. “Business has been really good.”

The Zoup! concept stresses quality menu items and strong customer service. The original Michigan location has grown to include more than 40 rstaurants in nine states and one in Canada.

A second Illinois franchise is set to open in Naperville in the near future.

“One of the big differences with us is that we offer sampling of any of our soups before (customers) order it,” Toomire said.

Zoup! has 100 soup recipes, serving 12 daily including veggie, clear broth, low-fat and a chili option in addition to unique items such as Italian pizza and mac and cheese.

The only two soup offerings that don’t rotate are the two most popular —Lobster Bisque, made with cream, lobster, and a dash of sherry and cayenne pepper, and Chicken Pot Pie made with mixed vegetables and a homemade pie crust.

“We strive to keep everything fresh,” Toomire said, “by using fresh vegetables and adding noodles to soups as they are ordered.”

“We also have fresh salads and sandwiches to go with the soup,” he added.

A daily soup menu can be found online along with nutritional information for all menu items.

Zoup! also offers six different sandwiches, including tuna salad with lemon and capers and vegetables with provolone cheese.

There are seven different salads to choose from such as Loco Burrito made with fajita chicken, fresh salsa and guacamole, as well as a Cobb salad made with 10 different ingredients. A build-your-own salad option is also available.

The Downers Grove location seats 58, and carry out service can be accomplished faster by phone, fax or online.