Smoothie King

Founded: 1987 Franchising since: 1988
When visits to various doctors did little to relieve the allergies Steve Kuhnau was suffering from, the nurse began reading up on nutrition, hoping a change in diet would help his symptoms. Once he began eating fresh foods and cutting fat out of his diet, Kuhnau started feeling better. His next task was to find a way to tackle the midday fatigue caused by hypoglycemia.

Using his nursing expertise and the drink mixing experience he gained as a soda jerk in high school, Kuhnau began experimenting with high protein drinks. The resulting product combined fresh fruits, vitamins and other supplements and inspired the creation of Kuhnau's company, Smoothie King.

Each Smoothie King store sells smoothies and a variety of vitamins, minerals, low fat snacks and nutritional supplements.

121 Park Pl. Covington, Louisiana 70433

Phone: (800)577-4200/ (985)635-6973

Franchisor has 60 employee(s); 4 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	554	0	56	1
2008	530	0	33	1
2007	447	0	23	1
2006	419	0	18	1
2005	379	0	10	1

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North carolina, New hampshire, New jersey, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin
Worldwide

Exclusive territories not available.
Territory size: Based on population density

Total investment: $140.4K-329.5K Franchise fee: $25K

Ongoing royalty fee: 6% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Express/kiosk option available

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	Yes
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	Yes
Accounts Receivable	No	Yes
Payroll	No	Yes

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $100K+
Cash liquidity requirement: $50K
Business Experience:

• General business experience
• Marketing skills

Operations

• 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 9
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 1 day
• At franchisee's location: 1 week
• Managment training at corporate store : 14 days

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media

Franchise 500® rank:
#67 (2009); #109 (2008); #91 (2007); #108 (2006); #135 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2008; 2007; 2006;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#37 (2009); #100 (2007);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#57 (2009); #99 (2008); #78 (2007); #91 (2006);