gusto!
gusto! is a privately held fast-casual restaurant chain in Atlanta operating 13 storefronts serving build-your-own healthy bowls and wraps with globally-inspired flavors, plus a corporate and event catering business and a mobile loyalty app, targeting health-conscious consumers, corporate clients, and event hosts across metro Atlanta.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What gusto! does
gusto! is a privately held fast-casual restaurant chain headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2014 by Nate Hybl. The company operates 13 storefronts across metro Atlanta — from Downtown and West Midtown to Buford, Alpharetta, and Sharpsburg — plus a catering delivery service covering metro Atlanta, Athens, and the Buford corridor. Its core product is a build-your-own bowl and wrap platform: customers select a base (mixed greens, brown rice, half-and-half, or a warm wrap), a protein (grilled chicken, spicy chicken, grilled steak, panko crispy chicken, grilled shrimp, umami tofu, or grilled baby bellas), and one of eight signature globally-inspired 'gusto' flavor medleys such as Jerk Ginger Pineapple, Tahini Cucumber Feta, Polynesian Chili Mango, and Chipotle Mango Avocado. The menu is supported by a lifestyle-segmented architecture (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb, dairy-free, macro-conscious, Mediterranean) and a kids' menu, with an interactive nutrition calculator on the website.
Revenue is generated through three primary streams: per-transaction in-store and online bowl/wrap sales (ordered via whatsyourgusto.com or a mobile app), corporate and event catering (BYOG buffet-style for 20-100 guests, small-gathering bowls, and custom large-event packages of 100+), and a recurring engagement layer via the gusto! Fam Club loyalty app on iOS and Android. Catering minimums sit around $100 per location with a $30 standard delivery fee, and large-event contracts are negotiated directly. Marketing is multi-channel — organic social (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube), email via Mailchimp, website content, and the rewards app — with Nick Tapp as Director of Marketing.
The technology stack is conventional: a web-based ordering platform, a Givex-powered gift card system, a third-party rewards app, and a lifestyle/nutrition content site. There is no documented API, no AI/ML capabilities, no patents or trademarks on file, no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no institutional investors — the company is bootstrapped and founder-controlled. Headcount is 251-500, and the most recent strategic activity in 2024-2025 has been a measured cadence of 1-2 new storefronts per year (West End in Sep 2024, Sharpsburg in May 2025) combined with menu and catering-vertical expansion.
gusto! firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- gusto!
- Legal name
- gusto!
- Website
- https://whatsyourgusto.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- gusto! is a privately held fast-casual restaurant chain in Atlanta operating 13 storefronts serving build-your-own healthy bowls and wraps with globally-inspired flavors, plus a corporate and event catering business and a mobile loyalty app, targeting health-conscious consumers, corporate clients, and event hosts across metro Atlanta.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
gusto! industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fast-Casual Restaurant
- NAICS
- Limited-Service Restaurants (722513), Caterers (722320)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Salad & Bowl Concepts (Grain/Protein/Healthy Bowls) (THAFABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty & Dietary Catering (Vegan, Kosher, Halal, Allergy-Friendly) (HSACAGAH), Corporate Catering & Refreshment Services (HSACADAD), Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA)
Keywords
Where gusto! is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices13 records
Markets served
gusto! business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual bowl and wrap sales: Customers purchase made-to-order bowls, wraps, and salads at individual restaurant locations. The build-your-own model allows customization with bases, proteins, and flavor combinations.
- Catering services: Corporate catering, holiday party catering, and large event catering for groups of 20 or more. Includes delivery, setup, and various menu options for dietary preferences.
- Rewards program and mobile app: gusto! Fam Club rewards app drives customer loyalty through points, exclusive contests, and discounts. Catering rewards program allows corporate clients to earn points on catering orders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual in-store and online orders |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Catering orders - BYOG Buffet Style (20-100 people) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Large events (100+ people) |
| Freemium | Monthly | Rewards program membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
gusto! product offering
Product offeringCore offering
gusto! operates a fast-casual restaurant chain selling build-your-own bowls, wraps, and salads featuring globally-inspired flavor combinations and multiple protein and base options. The company also provides full-service catering (delivery and setup) for corporate events, holiday parties, and gatherings of 20 or more guests across the greater Atlanta metro area. Customers can order in-store, online, or via the gusto! Fam Club mobile rewards app.
Product overview
gusto! is a fast-casual restaurant chain headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2014 by Nate Hybl. The company operates 13 locations throughout metro Atlanta (Avalon, Buford, Chamblee, Chastain, Decatur, Downtown, East Cobb, Peachtree, Ponce, Sharpsburg, Tucker, West End, and West Midtown) plus catering delivery to Alpharetta, Athens, and Peachtree City. The core product is a customizable build-your-own bowl and wrap platform where customers select a base (mixed greens, brown rice, half-and-half, or warm wrap), a protein (grilled chicken, spicy chicken, grilled steak, panko crispy chicken, grilled shrimp, umami tofu, or grilled baby bellas), and one of eight globally-inspired gusto flavor medleys (Jerk Ginger Pineapple, Tahini Cucumber Feta, Chipotle Mango Avocado, Queso Verde Queso, Ginger Lime Peanut, Sweet Soy Sriracha, Polynesian Chili Mango, or Lemon Pepper Ranch). The product portfolio extends beyond individual dining through specialized catering services (Corporate Catering, Holiday Party Catering, and Vegan/Vegetarian Catering), a loyalty rewards program via the gusto! Fam Club mobile app (iOS/Android), lifestyle-specific menu options (Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Dairy-Free, Macro-Conscious, Mediterranean Diet), a nutrition calculator, a dedicated kids' menu, and web-based online ordering for pickup, delivery, and catering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Customizable Bowls & Wraps Build-your-own bowls and wraps with choice of base (mixed greens, brown rice, half-and-half, or warm wrap), protein (grilled chicken, spicy chicken, grilled steak, panko crispy chicken, grilled shrimp, umami tofu, or grilled baby bellas), and signature gusto flavor medleys. Sold to individual diners in-store, for takeout, or delivery.
- Catering Services Full-service catering for events including BYOG Buffet-Style (20-100 people), Bowls & Wraps for small gatherings, and Large Events (100+ people) with custom options. Includes delivery, setup, utensils, and chafers.
- Corporate Catering Specialized catering service for office lunches, meetings, and corporate events with build-your-own bowl options and group order link functionality for business clients.
- Holiday Party Catering Catering service for seasonal celebrations including Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Hanukkah, 4th of July, and other holiday gatherings.
- Vegan & Vegetarian Catering Plant-based catering options featuring vegan bases, toppings, sauces, and tofu protein for groups with dietary preferences.
- gusto! Fam Club Rewards Program
- Kids' Menu
- Online Ordering Web-based ordering platform for takeout, delivery, and catering orders across all 13 metro Atlanta locations.
- Panko Crispy Chicken Protein Juicy chicken perfectly breaded with seasoned panko, developed as a 10-year anniversary protein addition to the build-your-own menu.
- Grilled Steak Protein Juicy, savory, protein-packed grilled steak added as a new protein option for build-your-own bowls and wraps.
- 12-inch Steamed Warm Wrap Larger, steamed 12-inch tortilla offered as an alternative wrap base for the build-your-own menu.
Companies that use gusto!
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
gusto! technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
gusto! partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
gusto! competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CAVA: Public fast-casual Mediterranean bowl/wrap chain with build-your-own model. Directly competes with gusto! on the customizable healthy bowl category, though at much larger national scale.
- Sweetgreen: Public fast-casual chain specializing in customizable salads and warm bowls. Closest direct competitor on format, customer profile (health-conscious urban/suburban), and price point.
- Honeygrow: East-coast fast-casual chain with build-your-own stir-fry, salad, and bowl concept. Most direct format peer to gusto! in terms of customization, signature flavor profiles, and lifestyle-menu positioning.
- CoreLife Eatery: Fast-casual build-your-own bowl/salad concept with lifestyle-oriented menu (low-carb, vegetarian, gluten-free). Closely mirrors gusto!'s positioning around dietary inclusivity and customizable bases/proteins.
- Freshii: Fast-casual health-focused chain offering bowls, salads, wraps, and juices with build-your-own customization. Competes for similar health-conscious consumer and corporate catering occasions.
Broad incumbents
- Chipotle Mexican Grill: Largest fast-casual chain with build-your-own bowls and lifestyle menus (Whole30, keto, vegan). Competes for the same customizable bowl occasion but with much broader menu and national scale.
- Panera Bread: Established fast-casual chain with soups, salads, and bowls and a strong catering business. Competes with gusto! across dine-in, online ordering, and corporate catering occasions.
Emerging players
- Salad and Go: Fast-growing drive-thru salad and wrap concept with value pricing. Competes in the same build-your-own healthy bowl category with a leaner operating model that pressures pricing in shared trade areas.
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Fast-casual franchise with wraps, salads and bowls alongside smoothies. Comparable on format and health-conscious positioning, with a much larger franchise-driven footprint.
Regional players
- Zoës Kitchen: Mediterranean-inspired fast-casual chain with bowls, salads and catering. Comparable menu style and catering-first positioning, though currently operating in different geographies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
gusto! social profiles
Digital presencegusto! financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
gusto! leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
gusto! funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
gusto! M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about gusto!
What does gusto! do?
gusto! operates a fast-casual restaurant chain selling build-your-own bowls, wraps, and salads featuring globally-inspired flavor combinations and multiple protein and base options. The company also provides full-service catering (delivery and setup) for corporate events, holiday parties, and gatherings of 20 or more guests across the greater Atlanta metro area. Customers can order in-store, online, or via the gusto! Fam Club mobile rewards app.
Is gusto! a public or private company?
gusto! is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was gusto! founded?
gusto! was founded in 2014. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is gusto! based?
gusto! is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does gusto! make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual bowl and wrap sales are the primary driver. The others are catering services and rewards program and mobile app.
Who are gusto!'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CAVA, Sweetgreen, Honeygrow, CoreLife Eatery and Freshii. Broad incumbents are Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panera Bread. Emerging players are Salad and Go and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Zoës Kitchen is listed as a regional player.
Does gusto! have an API?
No public API is recorded for gusto!.
What industry is gusto! in?
gusto!'s product category is Fast-Casual Restaurant. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFABAF, Salad & Bowl Concepts (Grain/Protein/Healthy Bowls), with a secondary code of HSACAGAH, Specialty & Dietary Catering (Vegan, Kosher, Halal, Allergy-Friendly). Its NAICS code is 722513 and its SIC code is 5810.