May 7, 2009

NEW ORLEANS – (BUSINESS WIRE) - Despite the global economic downturn, Smoothie King, the originator of the nutritional, fruit-based smoothie, announced recent new store openings that have allowed the company to surpass 600 locations worldwide.

Smoothie King Franchises, Inc., has added 32 new locations since January, with most new openings occurring in the United States. Entrepreneur magazine ranked Smoothie King the 37th fastest growing franchise and the 57th top global franchise in 2009, and the company continues to seek new franchisees to carry its brand across the United States and around the globe.

“There is a worldwide demand for healthy, fast and functional food, as well as nutritional supplements, that is fueling our growth. Our guests are served a custom-blended smoothie that is delicious, beneficial and very relevant by engaged, passionate franchisees who share our vision,” said Steve Kuhnau, Smoothie King’s co-founder and CEO. “We provide products that contribute to the health regimen of our guests, something more important than ever in these stressful times.”

Smoothie King believes its ability to sustain success and build its brand in difficult times can be attributed to a couple of reasons:
Americans, as well as global citizens, are indeed becoming more health conscious, which makes the category and a brand such as Smoothie King attractive to entrepreneurs.
The shaky job market has caused people of all walks of life to reevaluate their career goals. Potential Smoothie King franchisees want to be more in control of their livelihood and also share our vision of providing guests a healthy alternative to fast food.
Additionally, a recent study conducted with the Center for Culinary Development (CCD) found consumers are shifting away from traditional, larger meals in favor of several snacks throughout the day that are healthier, with more sophisticated flavors and exotic ingredients.

"Snacks are less and less the hunger-soothing bridge between formal meals,” said Kimberly Egan, CEO of CCD. She noted the study also shows 21 percent of all meals consumed are snacks, and that trend is expected to grow another 14 percent by 2017.

“Our founding principle to provide purpose-driven but great-tasting products to help people live healthier lives is universally appealing," said Kuhnau. “And the snacking trend gives us another point of relevance with consumers and will further contribute to our brand’s growth.”

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About Smoothie King Franchises, Inc.

Smoothie King is a privately held, New Orleans-area-based franchise company and the premier Smoothie Bar and Nutritional Lifestyle Center in the industry. Smoothie King Centers offer guests the industry’s first, original nutritional fruit- and function-based, fresh-blended smoothies. Each Lifestyle Center also offers healthy retail product solutions, including sports beverages, energy bars, healthy snacks, vitamin supplements, herbs, minerals and other sports nutrition products. Smoothie King opened its first store in 1973 and started as the first franchised smoothie bar/health food store business in the United States in 1989. Smoothie King currently has more than 600 units operating in 32 states and the Republic of Korea. For more information call 1-800-577-4200.