Guidance throughout your franchise journey
We are delighted that you are considering becoming a Smoothie King franchisee! Franchisees should possess a passion for the brand and a desire to help more guests lead a healthier lifestyle. While restaurant experience is not required, the ideal candidate should have an entrepreneurial spirit and experience in sales, marketing, restaurant, and/or retail.
Step 1
Complete the initial short inquiry form
To begin the process, first complete our short inquiry form. Upon confidential review of your information and preliminary approval, we will notify you of our mutual interest. Visit our FAQs page for more information.
Step 2
Connect with a Franchise Development Director
Learn more about the Smoothie King Franchise culture and vision, walk through the consideration process, and get questions answered.
Step 3
Candidate Due Diligence
You will be required to submit a franchise application to get started in our approval process. This includes financial statements, credit history, and background information. You will also review the Franchise Disclosure Document and speak with other franchises in our system to ensure that this opportunity is the best fit for you.
Step 4
Attend discovery day and gain Leadership Team Approval
After weeks of scheduled calls and gathering all required documents, your Franchise Development Director will schedule your Discovery Day to our Home Office in Dallas, TX. This is essentially an interview process for all parties prior to being awarded a franchise.
During this visit, you will receive an in-depth presentation from key departments regarding our franchise opportunity, meet our executive staff and management team, and have the opportunity to visit existing locations to experience front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
Step 5
Franchise Awarded
After receiving your franchise agreement and waiting seven calendar days, you will then execute your agreement and send in the initial franchise fee of $30,000. Once the agreement and franchise fee have been received and finalized, you will be an official franchisee. Congratulations on becoming a Smoothie King Franchise owner!
Step 6
Orientation & Training
Orientation is a required 90-minute Zoom meeting which should be scheduled and completed within the first 60 days of becoming a Smoothie King franchisee. At orientation, we will discuss all the steps involved with opening your store, including budgeting, financing, planning, site selection, ordering, construction, and more.
Following orientation, our real estate team will introduce you to our preferred broker in your area to initiate the process for identifying viable real estate opportunities within your defined trade area.
New franchisees, operators, and managers will complete a four-week training program—three weeks of consecutive in-store training at a regional Certified Training Store, plus one week of classroom training at our Home Office. This comprehensive, hands-on “cohort” learning experience will give you the skills, tools, and resources needed to achieve operational excellence at Smoothie King. Additionally, five days of on-site training will take place closer to your store opening, including three days before opening and two days after opening.
Step 7
Your Store Opens
Congratulations, it’s your big day! Our franchise team will be there to help you along the way, providing you with ongoing support to ensure your new store is a success.
What is the cost of opening a smoothie king?
Costs vary based on factors like location, store size, and labor.
End-cap or in-line location
| TYPES OF EXPENDITURES | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000-$30,000 ($15,000 for a non-Traditional Location) |
| Three Month's Rental & Deposit | $5,000-$25,000 |
| Technology Systems | $9,100-$12,215 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | New Unit Minimum of $15,000 for Traditional Units and $7,500 for Non-Traditional Units |
| Travel and Training Expenses | $1,000-$6,000 |
| Insurance(First Year's Premium) | $2,500-$7,500 |
| Other Prepaid Expenses | $1,000-$2,500 |
| Start-Up Supplies, Inventory | $22,000-$23,500 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment, Millwork and Graphics | $80,000–$150,000 |
| Architectural & Engineering Professional Service | $3,500–$15,000 |
| Signage | $5,000-$14,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $145,000–$280,000 |
| Legal, Accounting & Organizational Costs | $500-$4,000 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $1,000-$5,000 |
| Drive Through | $0-$33,750 |
| Additional Funds 3 Months | $5,000-$25,000 |
| TOTAL | $320,600–$648,465 |
Free-standing drive-thru location
| TYPES OF EXPENDITURES | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000-$30,000 ($15,000 for a non-Traditional Location) |
| Three Month's Rental & Deposit | $5,000-$30,000 |
| Technology Systems | $12,000-$14,500 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | New Unit Minimum of $15,000 for Traditional Units and $7,500 for Non-Traditional Units |
| Travel and Training Expenses | $2,700-$6,000 |
| Insurance(First Year's Premium) | $3,500-$7,500 |
| Other Prepaid Expenses | $14,700-$29,400 |
| Start-Up Supplies, Inventory | $22,000-$23,500 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment, Millwork and Graphics | $100,000-$130,000 |
| Architectural & Engineering Professional Service | $30,000-$50,000 |
| Signage | $28,000-$38,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $350,000–$825,000 |
| Legal, Accounting & Organizational Costs | $500-$4,000 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $1,000-$5,000 |
| Drive Through | $25,000-$33,750 |
| Additional Funds 3 Months | $15,000-$25,000 |
| TOTAL | $649,400–$1,266,650 |
Note: The above costs are estimates only and will vary by location. Additional development costs may be incurred if you are engaged in developing multiple locations at the same time. Please refer to the Smoothie King FDD with an issuance date of April 6, 2024.
Requirements to become a franchisee
$350,000
Minimum Net Worth (1 Store)
$150,000
Minimum Liquidity (1 Store)
$30,000
Franchisee Fee
700
Minimum Credit Score
$350,000
Minimum Net Worth (1 Store)
$150,000
Minimum Liquidity (1 Store)
$30,000
Franchisee Fee
700
Minimum Credit Score
Minimum net worth, liquidity, credit score and franchise fee are financial requirements.
