1851

Jarrod Johnson went to the Marines after high school in 1996 where he served for four years. After finishing high school, he wanted to attend culinary school but did not have the funds to do so. Four years later, he headed off to college. He attended the University of Houston while also patrolling for the Houston Police Department. Johnson eventually went on to grad school and continued to be a cop for eleven and a half years. 1851 caught up with Jarrod to learn how he got involved with Smoothie King. What do you think is the most interesting thing about your background? People think the fact that I was in the Marines is interesting. I thought I was just going to work, but other people think that&#8217;s really different. In the Marine Corp, I traveled a lot. While I was a cop, I met all walks of life and I was able to talk to a lot of people. With all of the news surrounding cops lately, I&#8217;m lucky to have been in similar situations but have them turn out differently for me. How did you hear about Smoothie King and why did you choose to get involved? I grew up on Smoothie King as a kid &#8211; there are a lot in Houston. They had one in the University of Houston, so I went to them while growing up. When my wife and I had to move to Rome for her job as a physician at the local hospital in 2013, I had to figure out what was next on my agenda. I had been working since I was 15 and when you stop working you have to find a hobby. I got very into cross fit and realized that this town could really use a Smoothie King &#8211; a healthy meal alternative. My wife and I were talking about Smoothie King one night before bed, but I had fallen asleep shortly after our conversation. She stayed up and emailed the corporate team from my email inquiring about opening a location in Rome. Two weeks later, I got an email from Smoothie King asking if I was interested, and I was! I wanted to push the health benefits in the town and always thought it was a good product. It always blew my mind how it could taste so good but also be so healthy. What ties do you have with your local community and how do you plan to serve the community with your new business? I am looking into becoming a member of the Rome Chamber of Commerce. Rome is a huge sports town &#8211; it seems they have a different 5k going on every weekend. I am really excited about networking with people and working with the local high schools. I also have to make sure I take care of the local law enforcement. The town has already been asking me about it so I think a lot of people are excited for the store to be in Rome! What&#8217;s next for you and your business? I hope to get a couple more stores under by belt after this my wife and I have our baby. I know everyone in Rome is excited because the nearest store is an hour away. It&#8217;s a new market in Rome, so I think I can continue to grow the brand in the market.

1851 Franchise

Jarrod Johnson was ready for a new hobby, but chose to open a Smoothie King location instead. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Franchisee Voices: Jarrod Johnson of Smoothie King      

franchisee-voices-jarrod-johnson-of-smoothie-king

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Photo of a large group of people standing in a circle, placing hands together in center

Franchise Opportunities for Minorities: Expanding the Franchise Network

franchise-opportunities-for-minorities

Amanda Evans - Stellar Service Brands - Franchise Marketing Leaders 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Amanda Evans — Senior Vice President of Marketing, Stellar Service Brands

stellar-service-brands-marketing-leader-amanda-evans

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

Franchisee Voices: Jarrod Johnson of Smoothie King

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS