Owning a Smoothie King franchise can be a lucrative business opportunity, but like any franchise, there are significant startup and ongoing costs involved. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down exactly how much it costs to open and operate a Smoothie King, including the initial franchise fee, buildout and equipment costs, inventory, royalties, marketing fees, and more. With over 1000 locations across the world, Smoothie King is a well-established brand in the growing smoothie and health food market. Understanding the costs and profit potential can help you determine if owning a Smoothie King franchise aligns with your business goals and budget.
Smoothie King Franchise Fee
The Smoothie King franchise fee is $40,000 for the first location. This is an upfront, one-time fee paid to Smoothie King Corporate at the signing of the franchise agreement. It allows you access to Smoothie King’s brand name, recipes, supplies, training programs, and ongoing support. Any additional Smoothie King locations opened will be charged a reduced franchise fee of $30,000 per location.
Smoothie King Franchise Startup Costs
In addition to the franchise fee, Smoothie King has the following estimated startup costs for an initial location:
| Leasehold improvements and buildout: | $150,000 – $370,000 |
| Equipment package: | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| Point of sale systems: | $15,000 |
| Signage: | $15,000 |
| Initial inventory purchase: | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Initial marketing budget: | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Opening promotion: | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Miscellaneous opening costs: | $10,000 |
| Additional funds (3 months expenses): | $60,000 – $90,000 |
| TOTAL: | $370,000 – $750,000 |
This brings total startup costs, including the franchise fee, to an estimated $410,000 to $790,000. Costs vary based on the size and location of your Smoothie King store, so these numbers may be higher or lower depending on your specific situation.
Smoothie King Ongoing Fees
In addition to one-time startup costs, Smoothie King franchisees pay ongoing fees which include:
- Royalty fee – 6% of gross sales
- Marketing fee – 2.25% of gross sales
- Other fees – 1% for brand development and 1.5% for purchasing co-op
There are also local store marketing costs, insurance, payroll, maintenance, utilities, and other expenses that will need to be covered by revenues. Overall, Smoothie King estimates the total ongoing investment per location is $220,400 to $388,500.
Average Smoothie King Franchise Revenue and Profits
According to Smoothie King’s 2020 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), the average annual gross sales for Smoothie King stores are:
| Top 50% of stores: | $650,000 |
| Bottom 50% of stores: | $469,000 |
Given the royalty fee and other ongoing costs, here are the average annual profits for Smoothie King franchises:
| Top 50% of stores: | $76,000 |
| Bottom 50% of stores: | $15,000 |
A Smoothie King with higher than average unit volumes in the $800k+ range can generate $100k or more in annual profits. New franchisees should base financial projections on the lower range of averages until operations stabilize.
How Long Does it Take to Recover Smoothie King Investment?
Given the high startup costs, it will take several years to recover your total investment and start earning a meaningful profit from a Smoothie King franchise. The breakeven point where revenues exceed ongoing costs is approximately 2-3 years. After covering your initial investment of $410k-$790k, it will likely take 4-6 years in total to start generating a comfortable return from a Smoothie King franchise.
Smoothie King Financing Options
Coming up with $400k+ in liquid capital is a challenge for many prospective Smoothie King owners. Here are some options to help finance your Smoothie King franchise:
- 401(k) or IRA rollovers – You can use up to 50% of vested retirement account assets without early withdrawal penalties.
- SBA 7(a) and 504 loans – Government guaranteed financing up to $5 million for franchises. Requires 10-20% down payment.
- Equipment leasing – Lease smoothie machines, POS systems, kitchen equipment to preserve capital.
- Vendor financing – Smoothie King provides in-house financing programs for equipment.
- Alternative lending – Online lenders like Balboa Capital provide high cost, short-term working capital loans.
- Home equity lines of credit – Tap available equity in your home to access funds.
- Business lines of credit – Establish a LOC at your bank to fund inventory orders.
- Partners – Onboard an equity partner to share startup costs.
Smoothie King also occasionally offers special financing incentives for new franchisees, like waived franchise fees. Be sure to inquire about any current promotions when starting your franchise application.
Is a Smoothie King Franchise Profitable?
In short – yes, a Smoothie King franchise can be quite profitable for owners that achieve unit volumes at or above the system average. Stores in the top 50% generate over $75k in annual profits on average. However, like any food service business, profitability ultimately depends on location, local management, customer service, store marketing, and maintaining tight operations. Smoothie King provides training and support, but it is up to each franchisee to build a successful location.
Key Takeaways on Smoothie King Franchise Costs and Profit Margins
- Total startup investment ranges from $410k to $790k for first location.
- Must pay ongoing 10.75% fees on gross sales to Smoothie King Corporate.
- Average annual gross sales vary from $469k to $650k per store.
- Achieving above average sales is key to earning sizeable profits.
- Can take 4-6 years to recoup initial franchise investment.
- Financing is available, but expect to contribute at least 25% liquid capital.
While Smoothie King franchising requires a significant upfront investment and ongoing operating expenses, the potential returns can make it a profitable venture in the long run. The keys are securing a strong location, managing costs, hiring a skilled team, and providing quality products and service to drive sales. Under the right circumstances, Smoothie King can be a lucrative franchise investment for motivated owners.
