Smoothie King is on target to break the 1,000 unit mark by 2017.
Smoothie King, the New Orleans based innovator of the smoothie segment, has big plans for 2016—and they’re already making headway. As of February, the brand has sold 15 new agreements for 20 units throughout Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia and the Carolinas. Now, with 779 units open—and many more on the way—the brand is poised to achieve its goal of having 1,000 open locations by the end of 2017.
The brand’s strong start to the New Year comes on the heels of a significant 2015. With 78 signed agreements to develop 152 new units,
Smoothie King’s expansion helped them achieve their sixth consecutive year of impressive growth—ending the year with a strong 9.8% same-store-sales increase over 2014. According to Smoothie King Franchise Development Manager Stephen Foley, the brand plans to utilize that momentum on their growth trajectory for the years to come.
“We’ve seen incredible growth over the past few years, and we’re on target to break the 1,000 unit mark by 2017,” Foley said. “Starting off 2016 on such a strong foot leaves us feeling nothing but optimistic—we’re not only growing, but we’re growing all over the country.”
According to Foley, the brand’s strategy in 2016 is to take new markets that have been successful, and build around them to increase brand presence and gain market share. This strategy proved to be successful, as last year was marked by another important milestone—signings and openings in two key growth targets: Illinois and New Jersey.
Both Chicago and New Jersey are wide-open markets for the brand—and they’re also regions where there should be a strong demand for Smoothie King products. As a previously untouched market for the brand, Chicago’s vast population and unique cultural influences make it a unique opportunity for Smoothie King’s continued development. The market has potential for 85 new locations in the city proper and surrounding Chicagoland suburbs. In New Jersey, another major hub for growth, Smoothie King currently has a plethora of open territories ripe for candidates interested in joining the growing brand.
Now, with the help of 2016’s first slew of signings, Smoothie King is solidifying its foothold in the South and the Midwest while also making headway throughout the East Coast. In the months ahead, the brand aims to sign 150 franchise agreements, with plans to target additional territories including Denver, Boston, Virginia, Washington D.C., New York and Philadelphia.
“This year, our goal is to really continue our development throughout the country and to broaden our reach,” Foley said. “The fact that we already have signings for 2016 in regions spanning from Maryland and Pennsylvania to Missouri and Texas shows that there’s a great need for the healthy snack and meal alternatives that our smoothies can offer. Our reach is truly limitless, and we’re excited to see where this year takes us.”