Smoothie King

Smoothie King

Franchise smoothie bars and nutrition centers

Overview

Smoothie King is a Dallas-based company that runs smoothie bars and nutritional lifestyle centers, primarily through franchised locations. It offers made-to-order smoothies and other healthy drinks from its stores, with a focus on customized blends that fit individual nutrition goals. The product works by customers choosing base smoothies and add-ins to align with personal wellness targets, enabling tailored nutrition at each visit. The company differentiates itself from competitors with its long-standing leadership in the category, a widespread franchised network (over 1,000 stores in 34 states and select countries), and a proven track record (ranking as the #1 smoothie franchise on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list for many years). Its goal is to help people find their purpose through nutritious beverages and lifestyle guidance, while expanding its franchise footprint and continuing to grow its community of customers and franchisees.

Significant Headcount Growth

About Smoothie King

Simplify's Rating
Why Smoothie King is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Food & Agriculture

Healthcare

Consumer Goods

Company Size

5,001-10,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Metairie, Louisiana

Founded

1973

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • July 2026 same-store sales rose 9%, Smoothie King's best month this year.
  • Q2 2026 added 19 stores and 32 commitments, expanding into New York and Midwest.
  • August 2026 pumpkin offers and $3.99 add-ons drive app traffic and loyalty spending.

What critics are saying

  • Queens SK LLC's July 2026 franchise lawsuit exposes unit-level disputes and operator dissatisfaction.
  • The April 2026 Cordon TCPA case adds marketing-compliance risk across national promotions.
  • Oven-funded flatbread rollout raises unit complexity and franchisee capex, risking slower 2027 signings.

What makes Smoothie King unique

  • Smoothie King launched the first national GLP-1 support menu in 2024.
  • Its 2026 chicken flatbreads and pumpkin lineup extend nutrition-first offerings beyond smoothies.
  • More than 1,250 units and 50 years of nutrition branding create franchise scale.

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Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Gym Membership

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

20%

1 year growth

20%

2 year growth

23%
QSR Magazine
Aug 18th, 2026
Smoothie King adds glp-1-friendly Pumpkin Smoothie.

Smoothie King adds glp-1-friendly Pumpkin Smoothie. Aug 18 2026 The fall pumpkin lineup is available for a limited time at participating Smoothie King locations nationwide and through the Smoothie King app. Smoothie King, guided by its vision to make the world a better place by nourishing healthy habits, is introducing its nutrition-forward pumpkin lineup including the Slim-N-Trim GLP-1 Pumpkin Smoothie: the first-ever pumpkin smoothie specifically designed for guests taking GLP-1 medications or anyone seeking a more balanced way to enjoy a delicious and nutritious seasonal favorite. Available for a limited time at participating Smoothie King locations nationwide, the new Slim-N-Trim GLP-1 Pumpkin Smoothie is made with 100% organic pumpkin puree and Smoothie King's pumpkin spice blend, delivering more than 23 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber and 0 grams of added sugar. The smoothie joins the brand's GLP-1 Support Menu, which launched in 2024 marking the first of its kind from a national QSR brand. As more consumers incorporate GLP-1 medications into their wellness routines, their nutritional priorities continue to evolve. Research shows these guests are increasingly looking for familiar foods with higher protein, more fiber and less added sugar, without sacrificing the flavors they love. The Slim-N-Trim GLP-1 Pumpkin Smoothie was thoughtfully developed to meet those needs, combining the nostalgic taste of fall with the balanced nutrition today's guests are seeking. "For more than 50 years, Smoothie King nutritional experts have developed smoothies that thoughtfully balance nutrition with delicious taste crafted to support a range of healthy habits. As more guests began navigating GLP-1 medications and looking for trusted nutrition guidance, we saw an opportunity to apply that expertise to meet an emerging need when we first introduced the first GLP-1 Support Menu in QSR in 2024," said Lori Primavera, Vice President of R&D and Product Marketing at Smoothie King. "Now with the Slim-N-Trim GLP-1 Pumpkin Smoothie, we're continuing to lead the category by proving that seasonal favorites can be both delicious and thoughtfully developed to support today's wellness goals." Beyond its seasonal appeal, pumpkin itself offers meaningful nutritional benefits, including,100% Organic Pumpkin, 9g of fiber, nutrient dense and meal replacement, as well as being a good source of fiber and high protein, making it a natural addition to Smoothie King's fall lineup. Like every Smoothie King smoothie, the Slim-N-Trim GLP-1 Pumpkin Smoothie was developed with care. With more than 50 years of nutrition expertise, Smoothie King approaches innovation differently, working with in-house nutritional experts to thoughtfully balance nutrients and flavor, creating menu items that are as delicious as they are nutritious. The complete 2026 Pumpkin lineup includes: * Slim-N-Trim GLP-1 Pumpkin Smoothie - 23g+ protein, 0g added sugar, GLP-1 friendly * Power Meal Pumpkin - 20+g protein, meal replacement * Coffee High Protein Pumpkin - 31+g protein, 83mg caffeine * Slim-N-Trim Pumpkin - 13+g protein, 0g added sugar * D-Lite Pumpkin - 12+g protein * Vegan Pumpkin - Plant based, 12+g protein, good source of Vitamin C Starting August 18 through the end of September, guests can enjoy even more seasonal value by joining Smoothie King's Healthy Rewards where members can add a toast or flatbread to any 20 oz. pumpkin smoothie for just $3.99. And on August 27, Healthy Rewards members can also stop by participating locations for a free Pumpkin D-Lite Smoothie sampling event while supplies last. The fall pumpkin lineup is available for a limited time at participating Smoothie King locations nationwide and through the Smoothie King app.

TK Business Magazine
Aug 18th, 2026
Smoothie King Celebrates Opening Of New Store In Topeka Guests are invited to stop by throughout the day to experience Smoothie King's purpose-driven menu and celebrate the arrival of the brand in...

Smoothie King Celebrates Opening Of New Store In Topeka Guests are invited to stop by throughout the day to experience Smoothie King's purpose-driven menu and celebrate the arrival of the brand in Topeka. Smoothie King, driven by a deep commitment to care for its guests and communities and guided by its vision to make the world a better place by nourishing healthy habits, opened its new 2121 SW Wanamaker RD. STE 107, Topeka, KS 66614. This new Smoothie King is owned and operated by Ryan & Kimberly Christopher Ryan and Kimberly Christopher are Kansas-based entrepreneurs with this Smoothie King location being their 2nd one. After successfully operating their Shawnee location, the Christophers identified an opportunity to expand the brand's mission of promoting healthy lifestyles and nutritious meal options to the growing Topeka market. The new Topeka location represents a significant local investment and will create new employment opportunities while supporting community wellness initiatives, school partnerships, youth organizations, and local business engagement efforts. The Christophers are committed to becoming active members of the Topeka community and helping residents achieve their health and fitness goals through convenient, nutritious food and beverage options. The grand opening celebration details are: Saturday, August 22nd 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, pending no delays during construction Guests are invited to stop by throughout the day to experience Smoothie King's purpose-driven menu and celebrate the arrival of the brand in Topeka. As part of the celebration, guests will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a chance to win Free Smoothies for a Year, with 10 winners selected. In addition, the first guests who make a purchase will receive exclusive Smoothie King gift bags containing Smoothie King merchandise, buy-one-get-one-free smoothie offers, and other surprises while supplies last. In 1973, Smoothie King introduced a new category to the world, coining the term "smoothie" and establishing its leadership from the start. Since then, the brand has remained committed to making nutrition delicious. Nutrition can feel overwhelming, but Smoothie King has done the nutritional work so you don't have to. With over 50 years of expertise, the brand has a unique approach that no one has been able to replicate, designing each recipe from the ground up and working with their nutritional experts to balance nutrients and flavor. Smoothie King continues to evolve its menu to meet guests wherever they are on their wellness journey offering protein-packed, nutritious options from smoothies and Smoothie Bowls to its new Power Eats food menu. With offerings designed for a variety of lifestyles and goals throughout the day, the brand remains focused on crafting nutritious recipes that deliver the best kind of delicious. "We're excited to bring Smoothie King to Topeka and invest in a community that continues to grow and thrive," said Kimberly Christopher, franchise owner. "This location represents more than a new business opening. It's an opportunity to create jobs, build partnerships with local schools and organizations, and provide residents with convenient options that support healthier lifestyles. We look forward to becoming a long-term community partner and serving Topeka for years to come." Hours of operation for the new Smoothie King location in Topeka will be Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Guests who join Smoothie King's Healthy Rewards loyalty program can earn points toward free smoothies, exclusive offers and personalized discounts. About Smoothie King Franchises, Inc. Smoothie King Franchises, Inc., the original U.S. smoothie franchise, is a privately held, Dallas-based company with more than 1,200 units nationwide. It was founded in 1973 with the mission to help others achieve better health in a delicious way through smoothies. Today, with over 50 years focused on making nutrition delicious and guided by a vision to make the world a better place by nourishing healthy habits, Smoothie King continues to design each smoothie from the ground up, working with nutritional experts to balance nutrients and flavor. In April 2023, Smoothie King expanded beyond smoothies with the launch of Smoothie Bowls. In 2025, the brand introduced its Power Eats Menu, its first nationwide rollout of food items, which earned Nation's Restaurant News' MenuMasters Healthful Innovation award in 2026. Smoothie King also offers retail products that include sports beverages, energy bars, vitamins, supplements, and more. Repeatedly recognized as a top franchise opportunity, Smoothie King was recently ranked #17 in Entrepreneur Magazine's highly competitive "Franchise 500" ranking for 2026, as well as #11 in Entrepreneur's 2025 Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owners and #11 in its 2025 Top Franchises for Veterans feature. Smoothie King was also included in the 2025 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, Technomic's Top 500 Chains and Franchise Times 2025 Top 400. TK Business Magazine is always excited to share the news about your organizations success. So please share your ribbon cuttings, open houses, new hires, new product or service. You can email your news releases to [email protected]

Restaurant Dive
Aug 14th, 2026
Smoothie King sales soar after flatbread launch.

Smoothie King sales soar after flatbread launch. Chicken Flatbreads helped increase July same-store sales by 9%, marking the brand's best month this year to date. Published Aug. 14, 2026 Dive brief: * Smoothie King's same-store sales rose 9% in July, marking the highest monthly growth in this metric year-to-date, the company said in a press release this week. * From 2020 through 2025, system sales jumped nearly 64%, while average unit volumes increased 27%. * Smoothie King said July had the strongest monthly sales growth of this year, attributing the rise to the June launch of Chicken Flatbreads. Dive insight: Smoothie King saw a similar boost in same-store sales following its launch of Smoothie Bowls in 2023. In the months following that launch, the chain sold over 4.5 million bowls, helping it achieve its highest sales period in its history. Last year, Smoothie King debuted its "Power Eats" menu with loaded toasts and protein boxes. This year's Chicken Flatbreads rollout marked the chain's biggest oven-based food innovation to date, the company said, adding that it provided ovens to its franchisees at no additional cost. The Chicken Flatbreads launch is part of the chain's broader brand evolution that also includes national advertising and changes to in-store design and the guest experience. "With lower investment costs than many traditional QSR concepts, continued focus on product innovation, store growth and the guest experience, we're engaging with our franchisees to build a business that's designed to lead the category for years to come," Gavin Felder, Smoothie King president and CFO, said in a statement. The chain is also growing its unit count at a steady pace. During the second quarter, Smoothie King opened 19 units across states such as Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado and New York. It also added 32 new store commitments to its pipeline, with several multi-unit agreements for Arkansas, Ohio and Florida. Unit count has grown 76% over the past 10 years at a compound annual growth rate of 6%, according to the press release. Smoothie King currently has over 1,250 units. "As Smoothie King continues executing its long-term growth strategy, the brand remains focused on investing in menu innovation, strengthening franchisee success and bringing its purpose-driven approach to nutrition to more communities nationwide," the company said. Smoothie King has been growing at a similar rate as competitor Tropical Smoothie Cafe, which is expected to reach 1,800 units this year and has a pipeline of over 900 units to open after 2026. Both chains have also seen significant investment from private equity firms. Blackstone bought Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2024 and Smoothie King received an infusion of fresh capital from Main Post Partners through a minority investment last year.

PR Newswire
Aug 12th, 2026
Smoothie King delivers 9% same-store sales growth in July following chicken flatbreads launch

Smoothie King reported same-store sales growth averaging nearly four times the industry rate in 2026, with positive growth every month, including 9% in July. The brand opened 19 new locations in Q2 and added 32 store opening commitments to its pipeline. The brand's momentum has been driven by its food platform expansion, particularly the June launch of Chicken Flatbreads, which contributed to the strongest same-store sales period of 2026. From 2020 through 2025, system sales increased 64%, with average unit volumes up 27%. Smoothie King has consistently grown system-wide sales since 2013 and ranks among the top five fastest-growing franchised restaurant concepts in the US. The brand's store count has grown 76% over the past decade.

South Metro Scoop
Jul 31st, 2026
Smoothie King opens in Burnsville Saturday with $3.99 smoothies and Free swag.

Smoothie King opens in Burnsville Saturday with $3.99 smoothies and Free swag. Tldr. * Smoothie King's newest location opens in Burnsville this Saturday, August 1 at 1500 County Road 42 West, Suite 400. * 20-ounce smoothies are just $3.99 all day for the grand opening. * Free swag while supplies last, a photo booth, a ribbon-cutting, contests, and samples. * Play the Crown Club Card game for a shot at a $150 gift card, plus a "Free Smoothies for a Year" offer with qualifying purchases. * The store says it'll run fundraisers for local nonprofits as part of its opening. There's a new spot to grab a smoothie in Burnsville, and the grand opening is this weekend. Smoothie King officially opens its newest south metro location on Saturday, August 1, with a full day of deals, giveaways, and family-friendly fun. The store sits at 1500 County Road 42 West, Suite 400, right in the middle of Burnsville's busiest retail stretch, the County Road 42 corridor. You're steps from the new Cub Foods flagship store at 1750 CR 42 West and a short hop from Target at 810 CR 42 West, so it's easy to fold a smoothie run into a weekend errand loop. The national chain builds its menu around smoothies made for a purpose: meal replacements, post-workout recovery, an energy boost, or just a cold treat on a hot day. The Burnsville team says they're aiming to serve just about everyone, from families and busy professionals to seniors and the fitness crowd. Grow Your Business With Us Own a local south metro business? South Metro Scoop help Dakota & Scott County businesses reach local readers. Takes 30 seconds. What's happening Saturday. The grand opening runs all day, and there's a lot packed in: * $3.99 for a 20-ounce smoothie, all day long * Free swag while supplies last * The Crown Club Card game for a chance to win a $150 gift card * A "Free Smoothies for a Year" offer with qualifying purchases * Free samples across the menu * A ribbon-cutting ceremony, photo booth, contests, and surprise giveaways Grab a Crown Club Card while you're there too. It unlocks extra discounts down the road. Giving back to Burnsville. Beyond the smoothies, Smoothie King says it plans to host fundraisers benefiting local nonprofits around the opening. The company frames it as part of a bigger goal: promoting healthier habits while supporting groups doing good work in the community. If you're looking for more to do this weekend, check out its Burnsville city page and the South Metro event calendar. And if you've been following what's changing around town, here's the $80 million makeover coming to Burnsville's I-35W. For event updates, the store is posting on Instagram at @skburnsvillemn and on Facebook.

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