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Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Smoothie King

Smoothies & healthy products

Background

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

Costs and Fees

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 and Support

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

Rankings

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);