Franchising

Smoothie King aims to expand Chicago footprint

Provided

December 9, 2020

Smoothie King is looking to expand its initial footprint in Chicago after a successful development year, according to a press release. Chicago, it seems, is a perfect fit for the franchise.

"Being the third-largest city in the United States presents a lot of opportunity, and overall, residents in the area are big on maintaining healthy and active lifestyles. Plus, the diversity of the city aligns with the variance of our menu, and the demographics show a high population of people who want convenient, on-the-go healthy meals. We are very excited about our prospects in Chicago going forward," CEO Wan Kim said in the release.

Smoothie King enjoyed notable growth throughout the Chicagoland area in 2020 with the franchise nearly doubling its store total in the market, opening eight new stores in 2020. Sales data at its 13 Chicagoland stores reinforce Smoothie King's attraction to the market. Since July, year-to-date sales have been up at least 25% every month, peaking in August, when year-over-year sales were up 46%.

Overall, the franchise's goal, according to the Dallas-based company, is to grow 15 stores annually for the next several years

"As more and more people prioritize their health and wellness, having a convenient, grab-and-go option like Smoothie King readily available down the block or around the corner is an enticing proposition," Kim said in the release. "That coupled with the fact our franchise is constantly innovating, whether operationally or menu-wise, to better meet today's consumers, there's never been a better time to invest in our brand."