The leading brand in the fast-growing smoothie segment sets multi-unit business owners up for growth.
The quick-service restaurant industry is growing across the country with no signs of slowing down. In such a crowded market, it can be difficult for brands to stand out. But Smoothie King, the leader in the booming smoothie segment, easily outshines the competition by staying ahead of the curve.
Smoothie King doesn’t just innovate on the retail side of its business with delicious, better for you “Smoothies With a Purpose®.” The brand is also constantly working to build a model that positions its franchise owners for success. With more than 775 units worldwide, Smoothie King has created an environment that supports multi-unit ownership.
“Our number one priority is making sure that our owners are reaching their full potential,” said Chad Tramuta, Smoothie King’s franchise development manager. “That means helping franchisees take their businesses to the next level through multi-unit expansion.”
Shane Chauvin is a perfect example of a franchisee who is growing with Smoothie King. He opened his first Smoothie King location in Columbus, Ohio back in September 2008. As he worked to build his business and establish the brand in his community, he noticed that the smoothie segment started to pick up steam. Smoothies were becoming more popular among consumers than they ever were before, creating a unique opportunity for Chauvin.
“Smoothies, which were once considered healthy treats, all of a sudden became the top trending meal replacement among consumers. Smoothie King’s business model had already proven itself to me with my first franchise, so signing on to open more units was an obvious next step,” said Chauvin. “Demand for the product is still growing, and Smoothie King is leading the charge every step of the way.”
Smoothie King’s successful efforts are consistently recognized in the franchising industry. This year alone the brand was voted number one in the Limited-Service Restaurant Beverage-Snack category in Nation’s Restaurant News’ Consumer Picks issue and ranked number one by Entrepreneur magazine in the juice bar category for the 23rd year.
For franchisees like Chauvin, multi-unit expansion is a way to capitalize on the brand’s position as a leader in the industry. Chauvin signed an agreement to open five additional Smoothie King stores throughout the Columbus area in 2015. The first of those new stores is already up and running, and plans are in place to open three more locations over the course of the next 18 months.
“The Smoothie King team has been instrumental in making my transition into multi-unit ownership an easy one,” said Chauvin. “I’m completely confident that by expanding my business, I’ll be able to further leverage my opportunities.”
To learn more about franchising with Smoothie King, click here.
