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Brand Spotlight: How Juice It Up! Is Doubling Down on Protein, Innovation, and Growth in 2026. Are you ready to trade the corporate grind for a vibrant, high-growth business? Look no further than the smoothie and juice sector. As Francentral hit the midpoint of 2026, one brand is clearly pulling ahead of the pack. Juice It Up! is not just keeping pace; it is setting a new standard for food franchise opportunities. The numbers are in, and they are impressive. With a 13% jump in total systemwide sales for the first half of 2026, this 30-year-old brand is performing like a hungry startup. If you are looking for franchise opportunities that combine a proven track record with aggressive modern growth, you need to pay attention to what is happening here. The power of performance: protein as a growth engine. Innovation is the lifeblood of any successful food concept. Juice It Up! knows this better than anyone. They have shifted their focus toward "performance" nutrition, and the market is responding with enthusiasm. You aren't just selling smoothies; you are selling fuel for active lifestyles. Their customizable superfruit bowl platform has seen a 12.2% increase in sales this year alone. But the real star of the show? Protein. The partnership with Chobani to create Greek Yogurt Protein Smoothies has already added a staggering $1.3 million in incremental sales. Stay in the know: the "Zone" protein smoothie lineup now accounts for more than 10% of all Q1 sales. This isn't just a trend. It is a fundamental shift in how consumers view healthy quick-service options. By offering functional, protein-packed meals, you capture a wider audience: from the morning commuter to the post-workout enthusiast. Numbers that speak for themselves. When you evaluate a franchise, you want to see growth across the board. Juice It Up! is delivering exactly that in 2026. Guest traffic is up 7.3%. Same-store sales have climbed 9.2% year-over-year. Take a look at these results: * Systemwide Average AUV: $634,294. * Top 25% Average AUV: $944,073. * Million-Dollar Units: 7 locations have already surpassed $1M in annual sales. * Long-term Momentum: Same-store sales are up 27% compared to the first half of 2023. These aren't just statistics. They represent the financial freedom and corporate-escape potential that franchise ownership tips often highlight. You want a model that scales, and Juice It Up! has perfected the formula. Scaling to 200 locations and beyond. The brand is currently operating over 100 locations, with nearly 130 either open or in active development. But they aren't stopping there. The leadership team has set a bold goal: double the unit count to 200+ within the next four years. Where is the growth happening? The brand is targeting "hot new franchises" territory in: * Texas * Utah * Arizona * Oregon * Nevada They are also expanding into non-traditional venues like airports and universities. This aggressive expansion strategy creates a massive opportunity for multi-unit owners looking to dominate a local market. If you are in one of these states, your timing couldn't be better. A legacy of leadership and innovation. Founded in 1995 in California, Juice It Up! has a 30-year history of navigating market shifts. Today, it is led by President & CEO Susan Taylor, alongside Co-Chairmen Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme. These are leaders who understand the franchisee perspective: Britt and St. Geme are former Burger King franchisees themselves. Owned by SJB Brands LLC, the company has the institutional backing and capital to compete in a crowded space. Even against giants like Dutch Bros and Smoothie King, Juice It Up! continues to carve out a unique niche through digital sales growth and a powerful third-party marketplace presence. Why partner with a FranCentral consultant? Navigating the world of smoothie franchise options can be overwhelming. You need an insider's perspective. That is where a franchise consultant from FranCentral comes in. Its experts provide true local market knowledge. Francentral help you understand the nuances of investment, history, and location counts. Francentral serve as your one-stop-shop for achieving financial freedom through proven business models. Are you ready to stop dreaming and start building? Do you want to own a piece of a brand that is currently outperforming the industry? Take the first step toward ownership. Connect with a FranCentral consultant today. Let Francentral help you find the perfect match and guide you through the selection process at no cost to you. Don't let this growth window pass you by. Secure your future in the thriving healthy beverage industry today! {"@type":"BlogPosting","image":["https://cdn.marblism.com/NlXM7tQIeVH.webp","https://cdn.marblism.com/DjlmUJRi6LP.webp","https://cdn.marblism.com/f5VlhWk48ju.webp","https://cdn.marblism.com/KxI_B8W86Dg.webp"],"author":{"url":"https://francentral.com/","name":"FranCentral","@type":"Organization"},"@context":"https://schema.org","headline":"Brand Spotlight: How Juice It Up! Is Doubling Down on Protein, Innovation, and Growth in 2026","publisher":{"logo":{"url":"https://francentral.com/logo.png","@type":"ImageObject"},"name":"FranCentral","@type":"Organization"},"description":"Juice It Up! reports 13% systemwide sales growth in 2026, driven by protein innovation and aggressive expansion. Learn why this is a top food franchise opportunity.","datePublished":"2026-07-20","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://francentral.com/brand-spotlight-juice-it-up-2026","@type":"WebPage"}}

Horizon West welcomes its first Dutch Bros Coffee. James Anselm - June 17, 2026 Dutch Bros Coffee opens in Hamlin with drinks, energy and community focus. A friendly "Broista" serves guest through the walk-up window at the Hamlin location's grand opening. Dutch Bros Coffee has officially opened its first Horizon West location at 5205 Hamlin Groves Trail in Hamlin. The drive-thru coffee shop opened Wednesday, June 17, bringing specialty coffee, smoothies, teas, freezes, lemonade, Nitro Cold Brew and Dutch Bros Rebel(TM) energy drinks to Hamlin. The new shop is open Sundays through Thursdays from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Beyond the drinks, Dutch Bros is known for its upbeat service and community-focused mission, including partnerships with local organizations that help enrich the communities it serves. Opening day vibes. In the heart of Hamlin, charming "broistas" weave through the prep area of a pristine grab-and-go coffee house. It's opening day, and they couldn't be prouder. Espresso machines hum a song of coffee bar classics. Refreshers pour in bright, vibrant layers, framed by the windmill logos printed on Dutch Bros cups. Catchy favorites float through speakers. Each employee enters a coordinated dance of service as lines wrap around the drive-thru and walk-up windows. Every movement is a heartbeat to the establishment. Well-trained and eager to serve up smiles, Hamlin's Dutch Bros family seizes the rush with friendly ease. Their secret? Treating every guest like family. Brewing up West coast hospitality. With humble pushcart origins, the Oregon-born company has swept the country to become a coffee empire. Hamlin's location broke ground in October as a well-awaited addition to its community. For those in charge, the Dutch Bros impact carries roots from far earlier. Thirteen years in, Hamlin shop operator Meghan Sviontek is thriving in the Dutch Bros family. She calls it "100% the right path," previously serving at locations in California and Texas before moving to Florida last year. "I always joke that I'm the Disney Dutch Bros operator, following my dream by the parks I love," Meghan said. Being at this grand opening is a surreal moment for Meghan. "I know I won't fully feel it until I'm home later and the adrenaline wears off to a gush of 'yes! It's here! We're here!'" she said. With eight years at Dutch Bros, Hamlin manager Karlin is living the dream. When he was young, his mom drove him to their local Dutch Bros before or after school or after church. "The way that they treated us was so cool to experience as a child," he said. Mesmerized by the customer service at this comfort spot, it quickly rose to the top of his job application list. "I was like, man, I want to work there so bad. It was the cool job, playing fun music and it seemed like a party inside. When I finally got the call back, I was so emotional about it," Karlin said. Hamlin's quick-order coffee spot brought up similar feelings. "We're finally open to serve. It's amazing," he said. Watching the crew adapt was a special highlight for both. "There's so much ownership and empowerment. When we got here, it became an extension of what we created, because now it's our home. This is Hamlin's family," Meghan said. Dutch Bros manager Karlin (left) and operator Meghan (right) graciously welcomed guests to the new location. Team players: A job vs. The job. Getting a job at Dutch Bros is its own gauntlet. Hiring began as soon as construction workers broke ground. Giving an inside look at the employee selection process, Meghan cited a recent Restaurant Business Online article reporting it's tougher to get a job at Dutch Bros than it is to get into Harvard. "Are we competitive?" she said. "More specific. The ideal team player is hungry, humble and smart. We ask every candidate, 'What does making a massive difference mean to you?' In the details, we find out, 'Do they want a job, or do they want the job?'" Finding the heart behind why a candidate wants to join is an essential step. Karlin told Horizon West Magazine LLC baristas cross-trained at neighboring locations anywhere from two to six months. "Our goal right off the bat is to set the culture. Right as they sit for interviews, they feel comfortable," he said. Being immersed at another location ensured working at Hamlin wasn't a major leap, only a quick skill transfer. Meet your Horizon West Dutch Bros "Broista" Team. Giving back with a local focus. To integrate with the community, Dutch Bros hosts three nationwide givebacks annually. "As the operator, I oversee an additional three or four donations to local charities. This will be our second year partnering with Give Kids The World, which feels really rooted," Meghan said, referencing other givebacks for No Kid Hungry and Second Harvest Food Bank. With this new location, Meghan aspires to increase donations. "I see us continuing our impact farther and stronger in this community," she said. Apart from outreach, the company hosts handcrafted employee awards called "culture cultivators." While opening day is now a realized dream, Karlin and Meghan set their horizons on growth. Speaking of the company's future, both radiated love and optimism for Horizon West. "We hope to inspire the next generation to be a part of what we do here," they said, expressing that each crew member can be a role model. Photos courtesy of Dutch Bros The Dutch Bros draw. Seasonal drinks are released monthly, with promotions throughout the year. For a detailed drink selection, visit dutchbros.com/menu or download the app. Radiating kindness with every cup, Hamlin's location welcomes guests into the Dutch Bros rush with fresh drinks, friendly faces and a culture rooted in connection. Even the smallest details add to the excitement. Dutch Bros keychains have become highly sought-after, limited-edition promotional items handed out during surprise, one-day-only "drops" that keep fans watching for what's next. Where the windmills blow and the line keeps moving, Hamlin's Dutch Bros family is ready to serve up energy, smiles and a little local magic one cup at a time. Photos courtesy of Dutch Bros