Zoup! is Zback! Local fast-casual chain reopens under new ownership

QUINCY — Jon and Amanda Morris, along with business partner Kasey Kenison, had no intention of getting into the soup business until they saw on Facebook a link to a Muddy River News story in June about the closing of Zoup! and the retirement of owners Steve and Patti Bunch.

“I just kind of, on a whim, sent a Facebook message to Steve Bunch … and we were able to make it work,” Jon said.

The restaurant had its final days as Zoup! in late June. It reopened a little more than a month later in early August as Z!Eats.

“Z!Eats is the new era of Zoup! We’re excited to be here for it,” Jon said.

More than soup

Zoup! was founded in the late 90s in Michigan. It was acquired by WOWorks, a fast-casual restaurant conglomerate, in 2022. The Florida-based company has several franchises in its portfolio, such as Saladworks, Frutta Bowls and, of course, Zoup!, now referred to as Z!Eats.

WOWorks announced the transition from the Zoup! brand to Z!Eats earlier this year intending to expand the brand’s offerings. In addition to a revamped repertoire of soups, salads and sandwiches, the Z!Eats menu features grain bowls, wraps, mac and cheese bowls and flatbreads.

Their lineup showcases classics like the Lively Chicken Caesar Salad and the Cheese Flatbread, as well as unique picks like the Baja Mac, the Maple Bacon Ham Grilled Cheese and the Mexican Street Corn grain bowl.

When it comes to his favorite item on the menu, Jon is torn between the Loaded Baked Potato soup and the BBQ Pork Mac. Amanda said her favorite is the Turkey Bacon Club with maple mayo instead of regular mayo.

“And the Over-Stuffed Bell Pepper soup,” Amanda said. “… And the Gumbo.”

“I mean, there’s not anything here I’ve tried that I didn’t like,” Jon said. “And we have the craft beverages, too.”

Meet the Morrises

Amanda was described as a bit of a soup enthusiast by Jon, who tends to opt for Mexican food. A difference in taste is no problem for this husband and wife duo, who have opened three restaurants in less than three years — all on Broadway.

Jon and his partners opened Sonic at 1501 Broadway in 2022. Jon, Amanda and Kenison opened Pancheros at 30th and Broadway this past February.

Jon started as a cook at Sonic in Keokuk, Iowa, at age 16 and eventually became the restaurant’s general manager. The franchisee at the time wanted to close the location, but after Jon’s successful tenure as general manager turned the tide for the location, Jon was granted part ownership.

Jon and Amanda still live in Keokuk, but their restaurants have them in Quincy for most of the workweek. They’ve spent most of their time lately at Z!Eats, easing into the reopening of the business, getting their new employees fully trained and familiarizing themselves with the brand.

Despite the 45-minute drives made daily from Keokuk and back, the Morrises say they are happy to be in business in Quincy, citing the growing population and the friendly people who make it worth it.    

“(Quincy) is kind of a home away from home,” Jon said. “A lot of people joke that they have work wives. Well, I guess Quincy is kind of my work home.”

The transition to Z!Eats also includes upgrades to technology, the launch of the Z!Eats app and new branding which Jon says will be implemented in the coming months.

“Quincy gets to continue having the food they’ve loved from Zoup! with Z!Eats, and we get to continue feeding Quincyans in three different places (with) three different menus,” Jon said. “May not stop here. Who knows?”

Z!Eats, 3430 Broadway, is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Online ordering for pickup or delivery is available at EatZEats.com. Guests can inquire about daily soup selections by visiting their website or calling the store at (217) 577-2020.