Smoothie King is a popular smoothie franchise with over 900 locations across the United States. One of their most popular weekly promotions is $5 Friday, where customers can get any 20 oz smoothie for just $5 on Fridays. However, there have been some rumors circulating that Smoothie King may be getting rid of their $5 Friday promotion in 2023.
The History of $5 Friday at Smoothie King
Smoothie King first introduced their $5 Friday promotion back in 2012. It started as a way to boost sales on Fridays and get more customers into stores on what is typically a slower day of the week for the smoothie industry compared to weekends. The promotion was a big success for Smoothie King and quickly became one of their most popular weekly deals.
Customers loved being able to get any 20 oz smoothie for just $5 on Fridays. It made Smoothie King’s smoothies more affordable as a weekly treat and motivated people to visit their local Smoothie King to take advantage of the deal. $5 Friday gained a loyal following among Smoothie King fans and was effective at driving traffic and sales.
For years, $5 Friday has been a staple weekly promotion for Smoothie King franchise locations across the country. However, 2022 saw some locations experimenting with getting rid of $5 Fridays or replacing it with other deals. This has led to speculation that the promotion may be discontinued system-wide in 2023.
Why Would Smoothie King Get Rid of $5 Friday?
There are a few reasons why Smoothie King may consider axing their $5 Friday promotion:
- To increase profits – The $5 deal eats into profit margins on Fridays. Getting rid of it could allow stores to make more money per sale.
- Refocus on healthier options – Some speculate Smoothie King wants to position itself as a health food store and move away from discounts and deals.
- Rising costs – Inflation and supply chain issues make ingredients more expensive. A $5 smoothie may no longer be profitable.
- New leadership – Smoothie King was bought out by new owners in 2012. The new execs may want to take promos in a new direction.
While the $5 Friday promo has been excellent for building brand awareness and loyalty, especially among budget-conscious customers, it may no longer align with Smoothie King’s strategic goals. The new ownership group could be looking to shift promotional strategies to be more profit-focused.
Evidence $5 Friday May Go Away in 2023
There are a few signs that point towards Smoothie King phasing out their $5 Friday deal nationally in 2023:
- Select locations, primarily in TX and CA, have already replaced $5 Friday with other weekly deals like $6 Monday and Bonus Rewards days.
- Posts on Smoothie King’s social media no longer promote or highlight the $5 Friday offer.
- The Smoothie King website and app no longer list or advertise $5 Friday on the national promotions page.
- Some franchisees have indicated they plan to participate in a system-wide end to $5 Fridays in 2023.
- A leaked internal memo in Oct 2022 outlined plans to “reimagine value promotions” in 2023, likely signaling the end of $5 Friday.
While not yet confirmed, these clues point toward $5 Friday being discontinued across all corporate and franchise locations sometime in 2023. This would end a 10+ year run of the popular weekly promotion.
How Discontinuing $5 Friday Could Impact Smoothie King
If Smoothie King does axe its $5 Friday deal in 2023, there could be some impacts on the chain and its customers, including:
- Reduced traffic and sales on Fridays – The $5 promo is a proven driver of visits on Fridays.
- Customer dissatisfaction – Long-time fans may be upset over losing this popular, longstanding deal.
- A need to promote new deals – Smoothie King will have to market different weekly specials to replace $5 Friday.
- Franchisee backlash – Locations that rely on $5 Fridays for sales could push back against corporate.
- A perception they are less affordable – Getting rid of a $5 smoothie deal could position Smoothie King as pricier vs. competitors.
However, the increase in per transaction profits could offset traffic dips on Fridays. And new promotional deals could incentivize customers to purchase higher-margin items versus just $5 smoothies. There will likely be short term pain but potential long term financial gain if $5 Friday goes away for good.
The Future of Promotions at Smoothie King
If Smoothie King does end its $5 Friday tradition in 2023, regular customers will certainly want to know what new deals and discounts could replace it. While Smoothie King has not shared definitive information on future promotions, here are some possible directions:
- Higher value “Smoothie Tuesday” deal – Could offer $6 smoothies or BOGO 50% off on Tuesdays.
- Loyalty program discounts – Bigger discounts for Smoothie King Healthy Rewards members.
- More personalized deals – Special offers delivered through the Smoothie King app based on customer behavior.
- BOGO Free events – Sporadic “Buy One Get One Free” deal days could replace weekly $5 Fridays.
- Bundling meal add-ons – Deals that discount smoothies when purchased with supplements, snacks, etc.
The company may also retool its broader promotional calendar around new product launches, seasons, or health-focused initiatives. Expect a shift towards driving higher average tickets vs. one low-priced smoothie. The specific direction will depend on Smoothie King’s overarching strategy as they evolve.
How to Get $5 Smoothies If They Go Away
While the return of $5 Fridays looks unlikely if the promotion fully sunsets in 2023, there will still be a few ways for bargain-seeking smoothie fans to get $5 smoothies at Smoothie King:
- Birthday reward – Smoothie King Healthy Rewards members get a free 20 oz smoothie during their birthday month.
- Survey reward – Completing an online guest survey earns a code for a free 20 oz smoothie.
- App bonuses – The Smoothie King app regularly offers surprise free smoothie coupons.
- Checking social media – Follow Smoothie King on social for random free smoothie coupon giveaways.
- Loyalty bonus levels – Earning enough points can trigger rewards like free smoothies.
While not as consistent as the automatic weekly $5 Fridays, these tips can help Smoothie King regulars strategically score $5 smoothies through loyalty promotions and bonuses. Signing up for their Healthy Rewards program and mobile app is advised.
Competing Chains Still Offer $5 Smoothie Deals
If Smoothie King does remove $5 Fridays from the menu in 2023, they will be one of the only major smoothie chains to not offer an ongoing $5 smoothie promotion. Competitors like Jamba Juice, Planet Smoothie, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe still promote variations on $5 smoothie deals each week:
- Jamba Juice – $2 Smoothie Tuesdays (20 oz smoothies for $2 2-5pm with app)
- Planet Smoothie – Flash Sale Fridays (select smoothies for $5 all day)
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe – Bonus Rewards Thursdays (free smoothie with purchase after earning 5+ smoothies through rewards program)
If Smoothie King drops their $5 Fridays, it could send some of their more promotion-motivated customers to competitors that still offer weekly discounted smoothies. Jamba, Planet Smoothie, and Tropical Smoothie may capitalize and draw in Smoothie King customers searching for $5 smoothie deals.
Should You Still Visit on Fridays Without a Deal?
For years, Smoothie King customers have been conditioned to hit up their local store each Friday to take advantage of $5 smoothies. If this beloved promotion disappears in 2023, should you still make a habit of visiting Smoothie King on Fridays?
Here are a few considerations:
- It may be less crowded on Fridays without the $5 deal driving traffic.
- Other weekly deals may replace $5 Friday that are worth checking out.
- You can accrue reward points toward free smoothies for later.
- Smoothie King may run surprise weekend discounts or secret menu items.
- You can scan their app for coupons to use when you visit.
Beyond just deals, if Fridays work well with your schedule for grabbing a smoothie, the $5 promotion ending doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t make Smoothie King part of your usual Friday routine. Pay attention to any new Friday discounts that may debut and maximize bonus point promotions to help offset the loss of $5 smoothies.
Should You Stock Up on $5 Smoothies Before They’re Gone?
For Smoothie King devotees who simply can’t imagine life without $5 smoothies, the question becomes whether they should start stocking up on $5 smoothies while they still can. Here are a few pros and cons of going on a $5 Friday smoothie stockpiling binge:
Pros of Stocking Up While You Still Can
- You can save money vs. future full-price smoothies
- Locks in your go-to $5 smoothies before they’re gone
- Lets you stockpile smoothies in the freezer for later
Cons of Stocking Up on $5 Smoothies
- Short shelf life – Smoothies last 5-7 days refrigerated
- No guarantee your location will honor the deal
- Time consuming to visit multiple weeks in a row
- Too many smoothies may go bad before you can drink them
While the temptation may be there to load up on a lifetime supply of soon-to-be-extinct $5 smoothies, realistically, the effort may not pay off. Smoothies are highly perishable, so trying to stockpile too many could just lead to a lot of waste. Your best bet is to take advantage of the deal normally on Fridays you already plan to visit Smoothie King before it disappears.
Conclusion
The potential end of Smoothie King’s $5 Fridays looms large in 2023. While not yet definitively confirmed, mounting evidence suggests this beloved 10+ year weekly promotion will soon meet its demise across all locations amidst a push for more profitable promotional options. For diehard fans, this is disappointing news that will likely lead to decreased visits. However, new deals filling the void along with bonus point perks can soften the blow while Smoothie King pursues strategic changes.
Ultimately, Smoothie King will have to tread carefully in walking back such a popular legacy promotion. Yet evolving consumer preferences and rising costs may necessitate this shift. Customers will vote with their wallets, either embracing new discount directions or taking their business to competitors still slinging $5 smoothies. One thing is certain – 2023 promises big changes ahead for Smoothie King’s promotions and the many fans affected.
