From Football to Franchising: Why Bobby Jones Chose to Invest with Robeks

When Bobby Jones retired from the New York Giants, he became a health and exercise physiology teacher in his hometown of Wadsworth, Ohio. After his time in education, he pivoted to working in the orthopedic implants industry for about seven years. Jones had always wanted to own his own business, though, and now he is pursuing that goal by franchising with healthy smoothie franchise Robeks.

As a teacher, Jones was able to stay connected with people in his hometown and felt like he was directly contributing to the community. Now, as a business owner, he’s providing a service that puts healthy living first. Jones’ Robeks location sits between a Starbucks and a Chipotle on the main strip in Wadsworth, right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the community. As a dedicated member of his community, Jones enjoys the ability to see people he has known his entire life coming in and out of the store.

“I live in a very active community and Robeks is a great, healthy option for folks,” said Jones. “There was definitely a demand for an establishment like this within our community, and I think we’ve met that demand. It’s nice to see people come into the store and try our smoothies; it's a great way to reconnect with people.”

Jones’ location opened at the tail end of July in the middle of the pandemic. Though there were concerns about the grand opening, Jones said Robeks has been there every step of the way. From providing marketing to COVID-19 safety protocols to sneeze guard shields, Robeks’ corporate team has provided a path to success for their franchisees. The brand also increased communication internally to ensure franchisees feel supported in these unprecedented times.

“Opening in the middle of the pandemic, we had some concerns,” said Jones. “People are getting back into some sort of routine now in the new normal and working us into that schedule. With corporate’s help, we’ve been able to get the word out about our business and get people excited about stopping in for a smoothie.”

Robeks’ Vice President of Franchise Sales Robert Campos said now is a critical time of growth for the brand. With so many people looking to make career shifts and take ownership over their livelihoods, now is the perfect time to identify candidates who can really excel and grow with the company. As Robeks makes plans for future markets, the brand is looking to grow with franchisees like Jones who are driven and dedicated to the mission of the franchise.

“Franchisees like Bobby Jones are a dream come true,” said Campos. “He’s a truly driven individual who is dedicated to Robeks’ mission at its core. People like him are exactly the type we are looking to recruit for future locations, and any success he sees in the near future will help us fuel that growth.”

If all goes well with his first location, Jones intends to grow with the brand and expand in the Cleveland area. For now, the former NFL player is content to focus on the essentials of his business and bring quality service to his community. Though COVID-19 may present challenges in the future, Jones is confident that he can tackle whatever comes his way.

“Having been an athlete my whole life, I know what it takes to thrive,” said Jones. “When things get tough, I know how to push through. The discipline I had in sports has paid off for me in my more recent career turns. We’ll continue to push through hard times as they come, but I know I can stay focused and learn from the process.”

The total estimated cost to open a Robeks franchise ranges from $228,450 to $340,000. The brand offers discounts for veterans and multi-unit owners. For more information, visit https://robeksfranchise.com/.