How To Select The Best Location For A Smoothie Bar Franchise
Of course, any profitable business owner will already know the importance of location, location, location. Without taking the time to carefully research different locations and understand where smoothies and juice products are most likely to be in demand, youll have a much more difficult time achieving your revenue objectives.
In other words, finding the perfect spot for your smoothie shop is critical to ensuring franchisees’ short- and long-term success. Lets take a closer look at how you can ensure you find the perfect spot to open up your new smoothie bar franchise.
Securing Funding To Open A Juice Bar
Opening a juice bar requires significant investment, with the exact amount depending on your location and how big you want your space to be.
There are many ways to raise the capital required to launch your dream juice bar.
First of all, its highly recommended that you make a personal contribution to the companys equity, by dipping into your savings.
You can then turn to banks and credit institutions to obtain a loan to finance part of the start-up costs.
Finally, also think about state aid for business creators. This may enable you to benefit from a low-interest or interest-free loan, for example.
Thats it for this time. We hope this article has given you a better understanding of how to open a juice bar. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us in the comments section.
Also on The Business Plan Shop
How Much Money Do You Need To Start A Juice Company
Starting a juice company requires a significant amount of capital. Overall, you will need to factor in all costs associated with running a business and any startup costs that may apply, such as licensing and other fees.
Depending on the scope of the company, you will need to consider rent for a physical shop or distribution center, key personnel costs, ingredient and packaging costs, website and online presence, equipment and advertising.
In general, you will likely require at least several thousand dollars to get started, and potentially much more than that depending on the scale of the business. It is important to understand your local laws and regulations, plan how you will distribute your product, and research the industry before investing any capital.
It is also helpful to consult an experienced business mentor or lawyer who can provide guidance.
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How Much Does It Cost On Average To Start A Juice / Smoothie Bar
You can expect to pay between $150,000 $250,000 on average to start a juice / smoothie bar. On one occasion, Andrew has consulted for a business owner that invested $400,000 starting a single location. For comparison purposes you can start a juice truck for between $50,000 $100,000.
There are numerous factors that go into determining the total startup cost of a smoothie bar. Some of the biggest factors include location, square foot or size of the location, the type of equipment you plan to install, how much renovation needs to be complete to transform the space into a juice manufacturing facility, furniture, branding investment and license fees.
As Andrew points out during the interview, no one wants to pay more than they need to during the startup process. But you dont want to cut corners to save money on key areas of the business either. The branding and experience of the business can be the thing that allows you to charge more, attract the right customer base, and differentiate the business.
Dont cut corners on the things that make a business special! The most important thing is getting started in the right way, not the cheapest way.
Smoothie Shop And Juice Bar Franchise Opportunities
If youre looking for a business opportunity that offers a lot of flexibility and plenty of growth potential, you may want to consider investing in juice bars or smoothie franchises.
There are dozens of great smoothie and juice bar franchises out there to choose from, but weve put together a list of 10 of the best opportunities for you. Keep reading to learn more!
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Sourcing Fruits And Vegetables
You will also need a steady supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. Try to source locally whenever possible. Youll get the freshest ingredients possible and save on shipping or freight costs. Purchasing directly from local farms or orchards is also typically less expensive than purchasing from a wholesale food distributor.
A piece of produce starts losing nutrients right after its harvested. Restaurants have a much better chance of getting it closer to that point if it is grown locally than if it is being shipped in from other parts of the country or world. Local produce has a shorter time frame between getting harvested and being used in dishes, so the produce tastes fresher. Also it doesnt have to get coated in wax to preserve it which makes it not taste as fresh. Plus, youre supporting your local farmers, your local community, and your local environment.
Samantha Eaton, Certified Nutrition & Eating Psychology Coach, www.HealthyEaton.com
Launch The Business Proper
No smoothie bar opens its door for business without first organizing an opening party to officially launch the business. You can choose to do a soft opening party if you are operating on a low budget or you can go for a grand opening party. The bottom line is that with a proper launching of the smoothie bar, you will be able to inform people in your city that your smoothie bar is open for business.
a. What Makes a Smoothie bar Business Successful?
- Choose a good location and shop facility to launch the business
- Make sure your shop is stocked with different types of organic and non-organic fruits, vegetables, milk et al
- Throw an open house grand party before officially opening the smoothie bar business
- Be deliberate with your marketing sales approach
- Encourage the use of word of mouth to promote your smoothie bar business
- Leverage on all available online and offline platforms to promote your smoothie bar business
b. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Smoothie Bar?
- The shop is open for the days work
- The serving areas, chairs, and tables are properly arranged
- Walk-in customers are attended to
- Deliveries of orders are made
- Stocks are taken and reports are written and submitted to superior officers
- The business is closed for the day.
c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build a Smoothie Bar Business?
- Excellent customer services skills
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Juice Bar Franchise Options
Instead of opening an independent business completely on your own, you can choose to open a juice bar franchise location. Franchises provide built-in name recognition, national or regional marketing efforts, and typically offer guidance on managing day-to-day operations with set policies and procedures.
However, opening a franchise can be very expensive. Opening a juice bar franchise can cost between $200,000 to $500,000 altogether including franchise fees, construction, and other up-front fees. After opening, you will also pay royalties on the sales you bring in.
Popular juice bar franchises include:
- Smoothie King: $20,000 $30,000 franchise fee
- Jamba Juice: $25,000 franchise fee
- Freshii: $30,000 franchise fee
- Robeks Fresh Juice and Smoothies: $25,000 franchise fee
- I Love Juice Bar: $25,000 franchise fee
- Juice It Up: $10,000 $25,000 franchise fee
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe: $25,000 franchise fee
The fees listed above are just the franchise fees. In addition to this flat fee, you will need to invest in application fees or other deposit fees depending on the franchise, pay for your storefront and any construction costs upfront. You will also have ongoing royalty and marketing fees that you will pay the franchise.
Choose Your Business Structure
Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your juice bar will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.
Here are the main options:
We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using ZenBusinesss online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization, and answer any questions you might have.
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Is A Juice Bar A Profitable Business
Yes, owning a juice bar can be profitable. However, there are some things you need to consider before starting a juice bar business. Youll need to invest in some quality equipment, such as a juicer and blender, and youll need to make sure you have liability insurance in case customers get injured on the premises. Youll also need to market your juice bar business effectively if you want to attract customers.
Start A Smoothie Business By Following These 10 Steps:
There is more to starting a business than just registering it with the state. We have put together this simple guide to starting your smoothie business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
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Decide On A Style/design
Heres another area that can be overwhelming.
Your style and design directly influence how you want your customers to feel about your business. You want to be warm and welcoming but still able to express your own flare and passion. Just be careful not to overdo it and risk scaring away customers.
The best way to figure this piece out is to talk to prospective customers. Get feedback from the people who would be frequenting your juice bar. Talk to them at existing juice bars. See what people like and dont like. If youre still not sure, talk to some contractors and see whats most commonly requested of them.
Another option is 99designs.com.
Here, you get designers competing for your prize money. For as little as $99, you get to choose from a large selection of high-quality logo options, giving you flexibility and options, and hopefully providing some inspiration.
If youre struggling with some name ideas, some ideas for you to think about are:
Take your time with choosing your style. Remember, it should express you and your business, so make it appealing!
What Tools Do You Need To Make Juice
To make juice, you will need the following tools:
1. A juicer. This can be a manual juicer or a powered juicer depending on your preference. Manual juicers are typically more affordable, but powered juicers can help you make more juice in less time.
2. Peeler and knife. If you plan to make juice with citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits, you will need a sharp knife to cut the fruit and a peeler to remove the peel.
3. Chopping board. This is essential for cutting up your fruits and vegetables. A wood or plastic cutting board is best as it will provide a good grip and wont dull the blade of your knife.
4. Blender or food processor. This is needed if you plan to make juice from nut milks and other plant-based ingredients. A blender or food processor can also be used to puree fruits and vegetables before they are put into the juicer.
5. Glass jars or drink bottles. To store your juice, you will need to have a few jars or bottles on hand. Make sure to clean them thoroughly before using them.
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Get An Idea About Your Customers
Any profitable business venture needs customers, and market awareness is vital. Smoothie franchises are great because they already appeal to a wide variety of people. Smoothies are a delicious treat or healthy snack that appeals to a broad customer base, from sports enthusiasts to business professionals and even a mom on the go. The ideal location could be a college town, near a gym, or another recreational area. Here at Pure Green, we are currently opening up new establishments all around the country, and our Pure Green team can help you select the best area for your franchise.
Develop A Juice Bar Business Plan
Spend time making a proper juice bar business plan. If you dont have a business plan, theres no way of knowing if opening a juice bar is profitable or even feasible in your area.
Your business plan should include detailed information about the juice recipes, juice ingredients, and equipment needed for starting up the juice bar. It should also contain financial projections regarding start-up costs, current expenses, and projected growth over the next few years.
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Understanding The Smoothie Bar Franchise Model
The franchise model is currently used in many different industries, but it is especially popular within the food and beverage industry. With a franchise, you will have access to various different resources and types of support, such as corporate guidance, help with financial and legal services, built-in marketing, and so much more.
The way the franchise model works is simple: in exchange for these valuable types of support, franchise owners will pay a set fee. After that, they will have immediate access to everything the franchise offers. This allows the smoothie franchise owner to entirely avoid the need to establish each business function on their ownnot only does this help the franchisee save a significant amount of money but it also helps ensure that revenue will start coming in even faster than before. This is why franchised smoothie bars typically report significantly higher rates of success than their non-franchised counterparts.
The shift towards healthier eating is where the health food franchise has come into its own. These are restaurants that serve healthy food, appealing to a healthier lifestyle. Think natural foods, fruit smoothies, acai bowl, raw ingredients, and clean juice – like what we have available at Pure Green.
Learn about opening up a Pure Green Franchise location.
Smoothie Businesses Can Be An Easy And Affordable Businesses To Operate
Unlike other businesses in the fast food segment, to start a smoothie business, you need a small retail footprint and fewer employees. This can save you tremendous investment capital, but it also means the businesses are easier to operate.
With a smaller footprint and limited menu, you can also operate your new smoothie business with less payroll overhead than a big, full-menu QSR. Many smoothie bars operate with as few as 2 employees per shift.
This small footprint and low employee overhead combines to make starting a smoothie business a great option for first-time entrepreneurs or individuals looking to grow a family business. Smoothie businesses can also make great additions to business portfolios.
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Write A Business Plan For A Juice Bar
How to start a juice bar? Every foodservice location needs a business plan and a good strategy, especially if you are going to open a juice bar using investor funds or a loan. It is quite possible to create a business plan for a juice bar yourself.
A working business plan should include:
- Competition research
- Investment and monthly expenses predictions
- Profitability and payback calculation
Get Into The Juice Bar Community
If youre exploring franchise options then youll be joining a community with built-in support networks.
But if youre planning on being an independent shop, then its important you get involved in the juice bar community.
Start with the Juice and Smoothie Association .
Look on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for accounts to follow and groups to join. Join local juice meetups.
This is an opportunity to network, find out about new recipes, and learn new industry best practices and techniques to optimize your business.
You never know where your big break or a great employee may come from, so become involved in the industry community and go to trade shows and meetups whenever possible!
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Write A Juice Bar Business Plan
Writing a business plan is the next step in the process of opening your juice bar. Dont skip the business plan, even if you think you have all the details of your business memorized. Its a professional way to gather all your important info in one place and present the idea to potential investors. Your juice bar business plan should contain the following sections:
If you want to learn more about writing business plans, check out our comprehensive restaurant business plan guide.
Quality Products: Smoothie Purees
The modern customer is an ingredient savvy individual. Theyve heard all of the buzzwords: No HFCS, fat-free, gluten free, low calorie, no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, soy free- you name it. And you can bet that they consume products based on at least one of these claims. The food standards of consumers today are much higher than they were even a few years ago. When it comes to smoothies, the modern customer is concerned about sugar content, protein, added supplements and more. They want their smoothie to taste great and natural at the same time.
As a smoothie bar owner, youll find that its tough to find a product that fits these requirements and still makes you a healthy profit. Many of our competitors offer a product just as healthy as ours but it requires refrigeration which, frankly, is a pain in the butt and produces a lot of waste for you. And then other competitors have a completely shelf stable product but it is packed with artificial yuck that you cant brag about. We are proud to say that our products fit the bill when it comes to consumer satisfaction and profitability. Check out the nutritional info here for yourself.
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