Growing Smoothie Franchise’s New Locations Include Yoga Studio, Multi-Franchise Concepts
Robeks, a premium smoothie franchise with more than 200 locations open or in development worldwide, is in the midst of a new wave of expansion, fueled by growing interest in healthy franchises and a fresh look at ways to lower startup costs — including bringing Robeks into non-traditional retail locations where significant revenue can be generated with a much smaller footprint.
Recent examples include a partnership with a multi-unit Subway franchisee to add Robeks as a second brand within 11 Manhattan stores, as well an Ohio Robeks owner’s decision to partner with a yoga studio/boutique to open a smoothie and juice bar inside a health and wellness complex.
“Smoothie and juice bars are great for a lot of reasons, and one is how well they work in a non-traditional footprint,” says Mike Reynolds, chief development officer. “You don’t need a ton of space for a smoothie business — since you don’t need ovens or fryers, the kitchen setup is simple, just blenders and juicers. Plus, you don’t have to have 1,000 different things in inventory, which reduces storage needs as well as expenses. Yet demand is really, really high.”
Americans are hungry for dining options that are healthy and convenient, and Robeks has seen its revenue spike. Year-over-year same-store sales have grown for 22 consecutive months. In addition to the demand for fruit and vegetable smoothies, Robeks has seen sales of fresh-squeezed raw fruit and vegetable juices double — in some stores, sales have even tripled.
Smoothies and juices are poised to grow even more popular as Americans search for healthy alternatives to fatty, salty, processed foods. Robeks uses only whole fruits and vegetables and other natural ingredients — no artificial preservatives or flavoring — and tailors its menu to the nutritional needs of guests. The company’s commitment to custom nutrition also makes it a favorite stop for people looking for delicious ways to stay on vegan or gluten-free diets.
To learn more about Robeks and how you can start a smoothie franchise, visit RobeksFranchise.com.
