Nékter Juice Bar signed 29 franchise agreements in the first quarter of 2016, growing its footprint in the United States by more than 50 percent. Nékter has also experienced a significant uptick of 5 percent in same-store sales in the first quarter, as today’s more health-conscious consumers continue to value the higher quality of Nékter’s juices, smoothies, and acai bowls, made only with fresh, natural, and unprocessed ingredients—something not found at similar concepts.
Nékter Juice Bar, which in six years has become a predominant lifestyle brand within the juice and smoothie industry, announced plans early in 2016 to grow the fast-casual concept to 300 corporate and franchise restaurants in the United States during the next five years.
Now with 41 corporate and 16 franchise restaurants in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas, the 29 new restaurants will continue to fill in existing markets and open in new markets including Sacramento, Calif., and Salt Lake City, Utah.
“With 29 commitments signed in just the first quarter of 2016, it speaks volumes to how Nékter is becoming the juice bar investment of choice among the franchise community,” says Steve Schulze, CEO, Nékter Juice Bar. “From experienced leadership to proven training, operations and marketing programs, Nékter Juice Bar offers a solid foundation for success. As we continue to grow, we are looking for franchise partners who share our passion for making a positive difference in their communities by providing a simple, affordable, and great-tasting pathway to wellness.”
Within the $2.3 billion juice and smoothie industry, Nékter offers its franchisees a category-leading average unit volume (AUV) of $884,795, per the company’s 2015 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
“We looked at very aggressive proposals from several franchisors, but Nékter Juice Bar offered a proven concept that delivered on not only sales and margin, but also the highest quality menu offerings,” says Aman Batta, who now owns and operates two Nékter Juice Bars in the Inland Empire area of Southern California, with plans to open at least five stores in the next few years. “The juice and smoothie market was in need of a drastic change, and Nékter has stepped up to modernize the industry by using clean, unprocessed ingredients versus artificial flavors, unnecessary sugars, or fillers. Today’s more health-conscious consumers, especially Gen Z and Millennials, flock to Nékter and that trend will surely continue to accelerate.”
Nékter’s success is bolstered by an innovative research and development program, a newly unveiled and updated restaurant design, and enhanced digital initiatives including a new immersive website. Nékter plans to launch a new loyalty app this spring to enhance the guest experience both inside the restaurants and online.
Nékter will also introduce several new fresh menu and deli case offerings in the spring, including new acai bowls and smoothies, Grab-n-Go options, a revamped Advanced Signature cleanse, and the seasonal return of its popular line of premium cocktail mixers, Nékter on the Rocks.