Smoothie and juice innovator sees New York as key state for plan to award 105 new franchise deals in 2015.
Harnessing momentum from a record-smashing 2014 – along with a 5.64 percent comp sales increase this past January – Smoothie King is looking to add more locations in New York City. With an inventive menu, steady growth and strong same store sales numbers, the brand is gearing up for a powerful 2015. The juice and smoothie category pioneer plans to sign 105 new deals in 2015 –which translates to 160 new locations –and is looking to New York to help achieve this goal. Smoothie King has the potential of signing 147 deals through the addition of qualified prospects looking for a unique opportunity and successful business model to operate in the five boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. The New York City market is already home to some exceptional Smoothie King franchisees spreading the brand’s message of health, nutrition and great-tasting smoothies!
“We’ve garnered tremendous expansion energy, and New York is a premier market to continue developing in as we inch closer to our goal,” said Dan Hannah, Vice President of International and Domestic Business Development at Smoothie King. “With locations already open in the city, we will use our national name recognition to cater to more neighborhoods with the addition of qualified franchise partners.”
The juice and smoothie innovator plans to have 1,000 locations by the end of 2017. More than 700 Smoothie King locations are currently open globally. The company has chosen New York as an essential next step in reaching its objective thanks to the city’s extensive population and its iconic status as the cultural and financial capital of the world.
The company expects to hit the 1,000-unit milestone by using a time-tested formula for finding franchisees that are passionate about the brand and about living a healthy and active lifestyle. Wan Kim, CEO of Smoothie King, knows his dual role as franchisor and franchisee has helped to instill confidence among other franchisees in the system, as they know he is in the trenches with them.
“When people believe in the brand, there’s always going to be a fire that drives growth,” Kim said. “Even during tough times, that passion never dies and continues to fuel the business. With Smoothie King, franchisees can build their business and at the same time be proud of the work they are doing, which is a win-win for all.”
By investing in a food scientist to ensure the company’s research and development process continues to stay nimble and adaptable, Smoothie King knows it has the products and strategies in place to continue its industry dominance. Smoothie King is known for providing superior products, providing guests around the world with nutritional solutions that live up to the brand’s founding vision to create “Smoothies With a Purpose.”
Now in its 42nd year of operation, Smoothie King is more primed than ever to thrive thanks to an elevated growth strategy and increased focus on finding the right franchisee partners to help implement it. Smoothie King plans to open two locations every week in 2015 and to grow the $567,578 average gross sales (of the top 25 percent of traditional franchised units in 2013) within the $2 billion industry.
“We are primed to close out more markets across the U.S. this year, and that starts with the growth opportunities in New York,” said Tom O’Keefe, Smoothie King’s President and COO. “We know that Smoothie King is riding strong momentum right now, and if we find the right franchisees who truly believe in bringing a nutritional solution to their community, they will be our best franchise owners.”
