How to Start a Smoothie Business

Business Overview:

If you love concocting sweet and healthy treats and making people smile, you should look into how to start a smoothie business. Everyone is trying to eat healthier these days and they are looking for a tasty, low-calorie treat to get them through their day. Starting a smoothie business can tap into this popular health craze. The first thing you will need for this business idea to work is a business plan in which you decide what type of shop you want to open. In this plan you will decide if you want to try to find a smoothie shop franchise for sale or if you want to start from scratch. A franchise may be a more expensive option up front but you will have everything you need to open for business. If you decide to find a space for rent, you’ll need to buy equipment including freezers, refrigerators and blenders. You’ll also need a few tables and chairs if your space is large enough. Next you’ll need a smoothie menu. In your research on how to open a smoothie shop, you’re likely to find a lot of advice about which ingredients and which combinations sell best. You can also formulate your own unique blends and offer them as specials. If they sell, add them to the regular menu. Once you decide on your menu, you need to secure distributors for all your ingredients or find them locally. Keep in mind you will need to buy some items in bulk so a distributor may be the best option. Your business plan will also include a marketing strategy which may consist of fliers, newspaper ads or promotional events. Be sure to tell all your friends and family about your new business and have them spread the word. Initially you might want to give away free samples to passersby to get them interested in your sweet treats. Before too long there will be a line out the door and everyone will want one of the town’s best smoothies. In fact, you’ll probably need to hire a small staff to help you keep up with the demand.

A Day in the Life of a Smoothie Business Owner:

Before your shop is scheduled to open, you’ll want to make sure it is clean and you’ll want to check your ingredient supplies. If you are running low on anything, you’ll call your distributor to place an order. If you have a staff working for you, one of them may need to make a quick trip to the local market for any last minute items like fruit if you are running low. Once your doors are open for business, you’ll make your sweet smoothies and keep an eye on your staff to ensure they are offering the best product and the best customer service. You’ll want to keep your shop clean throughout the day and keep tabs on your supplies so you’ll know what to order at the end of the day or in the morning. After you close up for the day, you’ll make sure the shop gets cleaned and review your finances, putting the day’s sales into your bookkeeping software.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be business people and passersby wanting a quick snack on the go, families looking for healthy alternatives to sodas and fast food, and various other smoothie and fruit lovers looking for a new product to enjoy.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Storefront
• Equipment (freezer, refrigerator, blenders, etc.)
• Supplies (cups, spoons, straws, etc.)
• Tables and chairs (if the space allows)
• Menu board
• Health department license
• Insurance
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Once everything is in place, making smoothies is a simple process.
• You get to spend your day making people happy.
• If you position your product correctly, you can charge enough for your smoothies to make a healthy profit.
• If you have a staff working for you, your day-to-day job can be supervisory only.
• You have the freedom to close the shop if you (and your staff) want to take a vacation.

The Bad:

• The initial investment can be large; it can take some time to turn a profit.
• Getting the name of your new business out there will take patience and perseverance.

Resources:

• The Juice and Smoothie Association
• Wikipedia on Smoothies
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on the Food and Beverage Service Industry

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