Franchising

Smoothie King opening over 100 stores in 2023

Provided

February 1, 2023

Smoothie King signed franchise and area development agreements in 2022 to add over 160 stores, with over half of them with existing franchisees who helped contribute to the company's $618 million in systemwide sales.

In addition to bolstering its development pipeline, Smoothie King opened 77 stores in 2022 in key target markets, including Albany, New York, Cleveland, Ohio and Washington, D.C., and is opening 100 in 2023.

"Over the last few years, we've seen an increased demand for healthier food options across the QSR segment and this trend had a positive impact on the brand's growth," CEO Wan Kim said in a company press release. "With deals signed in 24 states in 2022, we couldn't be more excited to extend the reach of Smoothie King's purpose-driven menu and be an instrumental part of our guests' health and wellness journey. As we expand our footprint, we will continue to make our brand's products even more accessible and will work hard to drive profitability for franchisees in all markets."

The chain offers a variety of prototypes for franchisees to consider when building out their portfolio, including a drive-thru-only prototype launched in 2022. The 800-square-foot store features a traditional drive-thru lane on one side of the building, with a lane dedicated to online ordering and third-party delivery on the other. It also features a front-facing pick-up window that allows guests to have their customized smoothie hand delivered.

"The foundation of our business model is built on convenience and accessibility, allowing Smoothie King to become the ultimate on-the-go QSR brand," Chris Bremer, chief development officer, said in the release. "With the launch of our Drive-Thru Only prototype, we have been able to provide prospective and existing franchisees with an investment opportunity that elevates the off-premise customer experience, while also enhancing the operation. This addition to our real estate offerings will help fuel our nationwide expansion going forward as we maintain our vision to be an integral part of every health and fitness journey."

Smoothie King, based in Dallas, has over 1,400 global locations.