Less than a year since launching, Main Squeeze Juice Co., a newcomer to the more than $5 billion juice market, has signed its first development agreement to open three franchisee-owned locations in the Houston area.
The development deal calls for locations in Baybrook, Humble and Cyprus, with the first 1,340 square foot location slated to open at 820 Bay Area Blvd. in Baybrook in late summer. A second 1,660 square foot location will open in Humble at 16402 W. Lake Houston Pkwy. The three Houston area locations will be owned by Jeff Drost and fiancée Tabatha Jones. The couple also owns the rights to Lafayette, Louisiana.
“We are honored to be the first franchise partners for a brand we truly believe in,” says Drost. “When the opportunity presented itself we jumped at the chance to bring the greater Houston community freshly squeezed juices, deliciously blended smoothies and access to a healthy lifestyle.”
In addition to being a franchisee for Main Squeeze, Drost serves as a sales and marketing executive for the brand. Previously, Drost worked for 11 years as a vice president of marketing at a healthcare company before working for a car dealership. Drost decided to pursue his passion and work with Main Squeeze after being introduced to the brand by Tabatha Jones. Jones worked with a facility service company where Main Squeeze was a client. Helping to design the look and feel of the brand in-store, Jones fell in love with the concept and admired its commitment to health. Proposing the idea of franchising to the founders, Jones knew she wanted to be a part of Main Squeeze and she received a call once they started franchising.
“My beliefs on what a health-focused company should be aligns with what Main Squeeze is. I was impressed by how truly healthy Main Squeeze’s products were— it’s not just a marketing tactic, it’s really just good for you,” Jones says. “We wanted to invest in something and expand our portfolio but never considered franchising until Main Squeeze came along. We wanted to be a part of it and we’re thrilled to be the first franchisees to help spread the mission.”
Main Squeeze’s mission is to make healthy easier, and the company’s nutritionist-designed, superfood-centric menu does exactly that by offering a daily source of plant-based nutrition packed with natural and quick energy. The concept’s proprietary recipes feature chef-inspired cold-pressed juices and superfood smoothies, along with one-, two- and three-day juice cleanse programs, wellness shots, and acai bowls created from organic and wild-harvested acai berries from the Amazon rainforest in Northeast Brazil.
“Health begins and ends with how you choose to fuel your body and your lifestyle,” says Thomas Nieto, CEO of Main Squeeze. “We strongly believe in reviving the idea of ‘food as medicine’ through our menu—combining the timeless simplicity of fruits and vegetables in a nourishing and refreshing way.”
With two locations open and operating in Lake Charles, Louisiana and Katy, Texas, Main Squeeze Juice Co. plans to open five stores in 2018. According to Nieto, the brand currently has nearly 50 additional franchisee- and corporate-owned locations under development.
“We are delighted to welcome Jeff and Tabatha not just as franchise partners but as part of the Main Squeeze family,” adds Nieto. “As we continue to grow, finding franchise partners as passionate and with as much heart and grit as Jeff and Tabatha is going to be the key to our success.”