5 Smoothie Franchises We Love

Smoothie franchises are one of the hottest sectors in the food service industry, and their popularity is only continuing to grow. For people who are interested in investing in a smoothie franchise, here’s a look at five of our favorites.

Robeks

• Startup costs: $228,450–$340,000
• Units: 85+
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Over the last 25 years, Robeks has established itself as a leader in raw juices, nutritional enhancements, acai bowls, Greek yogurt, smoothies and many, many more products that are as healthy as they are delicious. The L.A.-based health food franchise has expanded steadily since it began franchising in 2001, keeping its retail footprint small and its staffing requirements minimal. That means that it’s a business with a model that’s very attractive to prospective franchisees, and it has many potentially lucrative markets still open.

Smoothie King

• Startup costs: $268,900–$858,900
• Units: 1,300+

In terms of name recognition, it’s hard to beat Smoothie King, one of the most widespread smoothie brands across the world. The NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans play in the Smoothie King Arena, after all. But Smoothie King, which focuses on whole and unmodified ingredients, is an attractive franchise prospect because of its positive trend in terms of average revenues. Smoothie King focuses primarily on warmer-weather locations, which may limit the amount of markets that are available.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

• Startup costs: $257,500–$560,500
• Units: 1,000+

Tropical Smoothie Cafe isn’t just a smoothie chain — it serves as a full-service restaurant, with delicious flatbreads, sandwiches, wraps and salads along with other food items. The menu is continuing to expand and has helped Tropical Smoothie Cafe carve out a strong niche in the market. For such a well-established brand its startup costs are relatively low, and there are multiple options in terms of layout and setup.

Jamba Juice

• Startup costs: $238,600-$504,300
• Units: 800+

Since opening its doors in the Bay Area in 1990, Jamba Juice has grown exponentially, reaching 36 states and also developing a strong presence in Asia. Owned by Focus Brands, which also owns well-known brands like Moe’s Southwest Grill, Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s, Jamba Juice is known for its fresh fruit and vegetable-based juice products along with its smoothies. A brand that’s always willing to innovate, Jamba Juice is an attractive option for any prospective franchisee.

Maui Wowi

• Startup costs: $76,400–$569,000
• Units: 140

A Hawaiian-themed brand that’s been around nearly 40 years, Maui Wowi began franchising in 1997, and was acquired by Kahana Brands in 2015. Aside from its delicious smoothies, Maui Wowi also offers a popular line of Hawaiian coffees brought in straight from the islands. Maui Wowi has developed a very distinct brand identity and offerings from other smoothie brands, giving it major potential moving forward.