Juice It Up!, one of the nation’s leading raw juice bar and hand-crafted smoothie franchises, announced same-store first quarter sales increased 7 percent over the previous year. The chain also saw an increase in AUV across all stores. These latest financials follow on the heels of a strong last quarter in 2015 which included a system-wide gift card campaign designed to drive traffic and gift card redemptions during Q1. Also attributing to the strong financials are the nine new franchised locations that opened in 2015, bringing the chain wide total to 84 units operating across five states.
"As a lifestyle brand, Juice It Up! often experiences an uptick in sales with the warmer weather that ignites active trends and healthier eating habits. But, what's most interesting are the spikes we saw throughout 2015, proving that our guests are seeing the benefit of Juice It Up!'s raw juice and smoothie offerings year-round," says Carol DeNembo, vice president of business development. “It’s exciting to see the shift in mindset where today's consumer views juicing as a healthy lifestyle or daily ritual, rather than a short-term crash diet or trend. We’re dedicated to raising the bar in our segment and will continue to build upon the momentum gained from our creative promotions and product innovation.”
All Juice It Up! products are designed to be both delicious and functional, meeting the nutritional wants and needs of guests at every level of health. Menu items include fresh-squeezed functional raw juices, blended-to-order real fruit and veggie smoothies, and nutrient-rich bowls loaded with superfruits Açaí and Pitaya. With the recently introduced Smoothie Bowls as well as an expanded focus on the Bowl category, guests can transform their favorite Classic and Veggie Smoothie into a nourishing meal replacement, topped with fresh bananas, granola, and a drizzle of honey. To supercharge any bowl or smoothie, guests can ask to “Make it Green” by blending in raw kale and spinach to add an extra dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
