Health Conscious Era Fuels Smoothie & Juice Franchise Industry

Franchising:

Smoothie and juice franchises are healthy and hot. “Juice and smoothies, including juice and smoothie bars, frozen dessert stores, and the mix segment, are forecasted to be approximately $2 billion in retail sales for 2006,” says Dan Titus, president of Juice Gallery Multimedia, a consulting and publishing company concentrating on the needs of juice bars and restaurant start-ups.

Brands such as Jamba Juice, Maui Wowi, Planet Smoothie, Surf City Squeeze, and even Baskin-Robbins, will continue to benefit from the changing consumer patterns of healthier eating habits and on-the-go lifestyles. According to Titus, the juice and smoothie segment should continue to expand as operators continue their push into open territories and into niche markets such as supermarkets, airports, and educational institutions.

Colorado-based Maui Wowi has been taking smoothies to the people for more than two decades. The company was founded on a mobile cart concept that allowed operators to transport their products to consumers at festivals, fairgrounds, arenas, and convention centers. Today more than 380 Maui Wowi carts, kiosks, and trailers are selling juices and drinks in 42 states.