Planet Smoothie Franchise Surpasses 100-Store Mark in 2015

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwired - Nov 30, 2015) - 2015 has been another strong year of growth for the Planet Smoothie franchise; the franchise is positioned to surpass the 100-store mark by year's end. This is great news for current franchisees, as well as for prospective investors considering the Planet Smoothie franchise.

Planet Smoothie is a dominant leader in the rapidly growing made-to-order smoothie category. Based on findings from research firm Mintel Intelligence Group, the franchise is part of a $2.4 billion industry in America alone. Worldwide, the smoothie market accounts for $9 billion annually, according to Global Industry Analysts Inc.

"Our growth in 2015 highlights Planet Smoothie's commitment to creating a simple and affordable business model for entrepreneurs, as well as our commitment to providing fresh and healthy options for today's consumers in search of healthier and tastier quick-service food options," said John Wuycheck, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development for Planet Smoothie.

Planet Smoothie is a smoothie franchise that sets itself apart by offering great-tasting smoothies that use healthier, natural ingredients. In a side-by-side comparison, their smoothies generally have less sugar and fewer calories -- a big competitive advantage as Americans actively seek out healthier options. Planet Smoothie is led by a veteran franchise team and dedicated brand support team as part of the Kahala Brands family.

Why investors choose the Planet Smoothie franchise

Entrepreneurs continue to choose Planet Smoothie as an investment opportunity because their franchisees enjoy easier, less-involved operations than most business owners who join the quick-service food industry.

"There's a real advantage to owning a Planet Smoothie franchise," said Keith Lehmann, a Planet Smoothie franchise owner in Winter Park, Florida. "It's a simpler operation than most food industry businesses. You're not dealing with grease, meat, or knives. You can be involved in an immensely popular industry without having a food background. Here is a food business that's not as difficult to run as a restaurant."

Secondly, Planet Smoothie franchise owners enjoy the flexibility and control they retain as part of the Planet Smoothie brand. The franchise isn't just for entrepreneurs with restaurant experience; they provide the training and support franchisees need to help ensure that their businesses run smoothly from day one.

"I like being in control of my own business," said Mele Frumer, a Planet Smoothie franchise owner in Orlando, Florida. "It has been extremely gratifying to work so hard and start to see good results. I broke even from the beginning and started making a small profit right away, and now I'm starting to really get traction. I had no training at all in this before Planet Smoothie. I'm a housewife who wanted to do something new, and with the guidance of other franchisees and guidance of corporate, and by working very hard and with my whole family working together, we've been able to succeed."

"They are super-open to their franchisees," said Michelle Williams, owner of two Planet Smoothie locations in Tucson, Arizona. "They listen to us, and they care about what we say. They let me have my own voice -- even as a new franchisee, they listened to my ideas. From top to bottom, they are amazing. They are like family. Whenever we talk it feels like I am talking with friends."

Demand for healthy fare is growing

The demand for healthier smoothies like the ones offered at Planet Smoothie is only growing. Their smoothies have become a mainstream snack or meal replacement for millions in search of healthier, fresher alternatives. As Americans struggle with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses linked to diet, consumers are increasingly in search of healthy fare that's still tasty and affordable. Planet Smoothie continues to answer that demand by offering menu items that are not spiked with the sugar, salt, and artificial ingredients typically found in quick-service fare.

A study from food industry market research firm Technomic found that 64% of consumers agree that it's important to eat healthy, up from 57% in 2010 -- a significant shift in just two years. Another survey conducted by the Mintel consumer research firm asked participants to identify the barriers that keep them from reaching their healthy eating goals. Among them: availability of products, time constraints, taste concerns, and confusion about what's healthy. As a leader in the industry, Planet Smoothie addresses these barriers with lower-sugar, lower-calorie smoothie choices, and their stores make it super-easy for customers to purchase delicious smoothies within minutes of walking in the door.

"When you are serving smoothies, your customers are coming in for a treat that is healthy, and they are in a good mood," said franchise owner Karen Hendrix of Suwanee, Georgia. "You get to know your customers, and you just feel like you are making people's lives a little bit better. It's hard to be in a bad mood when you are around smiling people and you're helping them do good for themselves!"

To learn more, visit www.planetsmoothiefranchise.com.

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