Smoothie King, the world’s largest smoothie brand and the first health and fitness fast casual brand of its kind, announced its Q1 2024 brand update, concluding the first quarter of the year as the fifth consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales as well as 14 new store openings and the signing of 27 development commitments across 13 states.
The quarterly development growth broadens the reach of the brand’s presence throughout the country. Development updates of note include multi-unit signings in Rochester, New York, and Louisville, Kentucky.
Smoothie King is also slated to expand its presence in both Las Vegas – tripling its footprint with the signing of development agreements that will bring seven new locations to the city – and San Antonio, with four store commitments signed for the city within Q1. Sixty-two percent of the development agreements from the quarter were with existing Smoothie King franchisees, signifying satisfaction for further reinvestment in the company with current store owners.
The quarter also marked the introduction of a new smoothie: the Dude Perfect Smoothie, in partnership with entertainment giant and longtime Smoothie King fans, Dude Perfect. Furthering Smoothie King’s focus on purpose-driven menu innovation, the power-packed smoothie features a brand-new ingredient for the smoothie brand: nutrient-dense superfood, blue spirulina. The collaboration supports Smoothie King’s Clean Blends Initiative, adhering to an extensive “No-No List” that prohibits over 75 ingredients from being blended into any of its smoothies. The new smoothie has been a key sales and awareness driver, bringing in new and younger guests to Smoothie King.
“Our growth this quarter underscores our franchisees’ confidence in the Smoothie King brand, and we anticipate sustained growth in the quarters to come,” says Chris Bremer, Chief Development Officer. “With each new deal, we not only expand our footprint but also amplify our brand’s impact, forging connections and creating more opportunities for people to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
