1851

<div id="pastingspan1">After entering Vietnam and the Middle East in 2015, <a href="http://www.smoothiekingfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-orleans-city-business-after-entering-markets-in-middle-east-vietnam-smoothie-king-shows-no-signs-of-slowing-down-3331" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Smoothie King&#8217;s</a> growth shows no signs of slowing.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In 2016, the Metairie-based company plans to enter into two additional international markets, according to a company executive. The deals have not been finalized but are budgeted for the next fiscal year. Tentative plans are to announce the markets in July. The news comes after record-breaking expansions into untapped markets for the company, both domestically and internationally.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In Entrepreneur Magazine&#8217;s annual &#8220;Franchise 500&#8221; rankings, <a href="http://smoothieking.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-orleans-city-business-after-entering-markets-in-middle-east-vietnam-smoothie-king-shows-no-signs-of-slowing-down-3331" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Smoothie King</a> ranked No. 92 out of more than 1,000 submitted franchise brands, and the company took the No. 1 spot in its category.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Smoothie King has closed on deals in several major U.S. markets including St. Louis and Dallas. The company, which has over 50 employees at its corporate headquarters in Metairie, has 700 locations globally and plans on 1,000 locations by 2017. The 43-year-old company was purchased by Wan Kim in July 2012.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Kim said they will continue to expand internationally but will &#8220;not move too fast.&#8221; Smoothie King will only expand into two to three countries per year.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;In some way, we are really a 3-year startup,&#8221; said Smoothie King President and COO Tom O'Keefe. &#8220;There has been a lot that has changed in the business. We have a nice confluence of positive events coming together, and it has really elevated the brand.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>O&#8217;Keefe <a href="http://neworleanscitybusiness.com/blog/2016/01/11/smoothie-king-plans-more-expansion-into-u-s-international-markets/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-orleans-city-business-after-entering-markets-in-middle-east-vietnam-smoothie-king-shows-no-signs-of-slowing-down-3331" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">told New Orleans City Business</a> the strategy in the U.S. remains aggressive. Last year, Smoothie King opened 86 stores in 21 different states.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>On the domestic side, Smoothie King is targeting another 120 stores. Last year&#8217;s increase was about a 60 percent increase compared to the previous year&#8217;s development. They expect another 50 percent increase in 2016 and a 180 percent projected increase in 2017. Smoothie King was founded in 1973 with a focus on offering an array of retail products, including sports beverages, energy bars, vitamins and supplements. In 1989, it became the first smoothie franchise in the U.S. In 2014, the New Orleans Arena was renamed the Smoothie King Center.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The concept has even seen success in cooler climates. Some stores opened last year in Wisconsin, Nebraska and Pennsylvania, which were previously perceived as being too seasonal, he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;With our meal replacement strategy, the consumers are understanding that the brand has more purpose than just a snack,&#8221; he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>For more information about Smoothie King franchising <a href="http://smoothieking.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-orleans-city-business-after-entering-markets-in-middle-east-vietnam-smoothie-king-shows-no-signs-of-slowing-down-3331" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>.&nbsp;</div>

1851 Franchise

The brand's foray into the international market is profiled by the publication.

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

New Orleans City Business: After Entering Markets in Middle East & Vietnam, Smoothie King Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

new-orleans-city-business-after-entering-markets-in-middle-east-vietnam-smoothie-king-shows-no-signs-of-slowing-down

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

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

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

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

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

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

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

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

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

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

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

New Orleans City Business: After Entering Markets in Middle East & Vietnam, Smoothie King Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS