How to start a smoothie business

Starting your own business can feel challenging and overwhelming, especially when you are unsure where to begin. It’s normal to feel, but don’t worry!

That’s exactly what DrinkFit is here for.

Overview

  • What makes a smoothie bar a great business?
  • Find out the 6 key aspects of setting up a smoothie bar.

  • Learn what you need to start your smoothie bar smoothly.

  • Why pick DrinkFit for your smoothie bar needs?

  • Partner benefits: What to expect when partnering with DrinkFit.

Smoothie Industry Statistics

  • According to a forecast by Technavio, a leading market research company, the smoothie industry is expected to expand by $664.85 million between 2022 and 2027, with a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.06%.
  • This growth trajectory highlights the increasing demand for healthy food options, making the smoothie business a good opportunity for entrepreneurs.
  • Smoothies can be customized to fit pretty much anyone’s diet, making them an exceptionally appealing product to sell.

I am excited. What do I need to start?

6Ps of Smoothie Bar Startup

Let’s break down how to start a smoothie business to the basics. Think about it like following the 6Ps

Place

The ideal location for a smoothie bar is a bustling spot with steady foot traffic and easy accessibility for customers. Your location should also radiate a welcoming atmosphere and great vibe, making customers feel right at home. Make it a place that customers would be truly delighted to return to time and time again.

Product

It’s important to ensure your product aligns effectively with your target demographic. Customize your offerings to suit the needs of your location. Are you in a school environment? Are your smoothies good and appealing to children? Operating within a gym setting? Provide smoothies that function well as meal replacements or pre- and post-workout snacks.

DrinkFit smoothies offer exceptional versatility. Customize them by adding extra protein to suit customer preferences or additional boosts for enhanced nutritional content. We also offer various cup sizes to accommodate people wanting a larger or smaller smoothie.

People

Identifying and understanding your customers’ choices guarantees that your product offerings align with their expectations. For example, a smoothie bar near a gym might focus on protein-packed smoothies to appeal to health-conscious individuals interested in fitness.

When customers feel your product is specifically made for them, they are more likely to become repeat patrons and, much better, brand promoters.

Promotion

Speaking of promoters, promotion helps spread the word about your smoothie bar to potential customers. It can increase foot traffic, showcase your business edges, and help customers understand what to expect when they visit.

At DrinkFit, we offer promotional materials at no cost to you. Just let us know your vision for your poster or banner, and we’ll tailor them to fit your brand’s aesthetic perfectly.

Price

The price directly affects the revenue potential of your smoothie bar. Setting the right price can maximize profitability while ensuring your offerings remain attractive to your target customers.

You have the flexibility to set your pricing with DrinkFit. This way, we empower you to shape your profit margins. While we recommend a retail price of $5 per cup, the decision is yours.

Preparation: Smoothie Supplies

The right smoothie supplies, such as blenders, are important to your operations. These tools must be strong enough to endure constant use and keep up with demand.

Investing in the right supplies from the start can be more cost-effective over the long term. They often require less maintenance, resulting in lower operating costs due to better energy efficiency and reduced waste.

Starting a Smoothie Bar With DrinkFit

DrinkFit is here to take the stress away! Forget about the hassle of finding supplies and ingredients and handling promotions – we’ll do all that work for you!
But as the business owner, you’ll need to ensure these things are in place to kickstart your business.

Location

DrinkFit smoothie bar offers flexibility in setup; it can be placed on a countertop or built into a counter. For your setup, a minimum area of 25 square feet is recommended. However, an ideal space would be 35 square feet—providing ample room for your staff to move comfortably and possibly even do a tango dance.

How to Start a Smoothie Business

Additionally, it’s important to consult with your local government regarding permits or licensing that may be required.

For instance, for gyms looking to add a DrinkFit smoothie bar, positioning it where members can easily spot it post-workout is advisable.

Sink

Keeping things clean is a top priority in the food and beverage industry. To ensure everything stays orderly, the Food and Drug Administration requires all businesses, including smoothie bars, to have three-compartment or three-basin sinks. This rule is about keeping people healthy and ensuring they can worry-free sip on their favorite smoothies.

So, what’s the deal with these sinks?

They’re smartly designed. They have three parts, each for a different step in the cleaning process: washing, rinsing, and sanitizing. This setup makes cleaning equipment easier and more thorough, with fewer germs hanging around and causing trouble.

Here’s how it works:

  • Washing: The first part is washing stuff with hot, soapy water. This removes all the gunk and leftover smoothie bits, leaving supplies clean.
  • Rinsing: The second part is for rinsing off the soap and any last bits of dirt.
  • Sanitizing: It’s where things get super clean. It’s filled with a special sanitizing solution that kills off any remaining germs.

Equipment

The equipment we use is the real star of our smoothie bar.

You could pick just any blender off the shelf. But if you want your smoothies to be great, we have recommendations!

We compiled a list of awesome equipment. They’re made to make the smoothest and most delicious smoothies you’ve ever tasted.

Supplier

Look for a reliable partner to keep your supplies stocked with the best quality products.

Why Choose DrinkFit?

  • Trustworthy Supplier – over 500 locations, including Gold’s Gym and Bob Evans Restaurants branches
  • Free Marketing Support
  • Free Accessories
  • Only $1700 Starting Inventory

Become part of a community dedicated to health, quality, and success!

Staff

Preparing the smoothie should be like the smoothie – smooth and refreshing.

If your team feels like preparing a 5-course meal, then something’s wrong. Nobody wants to follow a long list of instructions just to prepare a single drink.

Our easy, 60-second smoothie preparation process is so straightforward that anyone on your staff can master it quickly.

What Can DrinkFit Partners Expect?

If you sell, then we can sell. Experience the average 63% profit margin

less inventory means 37% lower cost and easy management of supplies

streamlined smoothie preparation process

only 19g of sugar for a 16oz fruit smoothie, naturally sweetened by Stevia.

Ready to launch a smoothie business or considering to switch? We’ve got you covered at DrinkFit!

If you’re interested in setting up a smoothie bar with DrinkFit, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

For any questions, check out our FAQs or contact us today!