5 Reasons Dallas Is a Great Market To Open a Planet Smoothie Franchise
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is one of the most densely populated areas in the nation and is underserved when it comes to healthy, delicious smoothies
Entrepreneurs know Dallas is one of the healthiest, most vibrant economic areas in the United States, and the Planet Smoothie franchise is poised for big growth there. The city and the surrounding area ranked sixth economically in the nation at $440.1 billion in 2014, according to The Star-Telegram in Fort Worth. Out of the world’s 196 nations, only 17 have a higher gross domestic product than the Dallas area. The area’s economy is expected to reach $464.7 billion by 2015 and $491.4 billion by 2016, according to IHS Global insight, a Massachusetts-based information company.
In such a thriving city, there are many health-conscious residents with busy lives who are always looking for a convenient, healthy alternative to a typical fast-food joint.
Dallas is a large, underserved area when it comes to delicious, healthier food and beverage options. Residents’ options are limited when it comes to finding the right smoothie franchise. Planet Smoothie, however, is ready to seize that opportunity. It is looking for franchisees to serve the Dallas area.
The Planet Smoothie franchise sets itself apart by offering great-tasting smoothies that use healthier, natural ingredients. In a side-by-side comparison, our smoothies generally have less sugar and fewer calories — a big competitive advantage as Americans actively seek healthier options. We are led by a team of veteran franchise executives who have more than 100 combined years of franchising experience building such iconic brands as Mail Boxes Etc. — so we provide outstanding support to franchisees.
Here are five good reasons why Dallas is a great opportunity for a Planet Smoothie franchise.
1. Dallas is a densely populated, vibrant marketplace
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has an estimated population of more than 6.5 million, according to a 2011 report by the U.S. Census Bureau, making it the largest metropolitan area in the South. The area’s population increased by more than 1 million residents since 2000. According to the American Community Survey, it is the largest landlocked metropolitan area in the nation.
2. Dallas residents are health-conscious
DFW residents are increasingly health-conscious, and they want their healthy food products to also be delicious. Reviews from the pilot store in McKinney validate that Planet Smoothie’s unique combination of great-tasting, good-for-you products connects well with Texas consumers.
“We have vibrant, healthy communities,” says Blair Ritchey, our Planet Smoothie area developer in North Texas. “Plano, Frisco, Denton and Flower Mound are just a few of the great communities ripe for a Planet Smoothie franchise. In fact, the entire North Dallas corridor, from Park Cities to Garland, Mesquite and Richardson, are areas highly populated with health-conscious people who have discretionary income. These are good locations for potential franchisees.”
3. Dallas is prime territory for new franchisees
As Planet Smoothie moves west from our base in the Southeast, we provide a competitive alternative to the area’s existing smoothie franchises, including Smoothie King. With our menu full of real fruit, vegetables and superior ingredients (such as a proprietary sweetener of natural agave nectar and stevia), Planet Smoothie enjoys a competitive edge in both nutrition and taste.
“Although we’re relatively new to the area,” Blair notes, “we offer franchisees a unique opportunity to tap into this huge, underserved market. Getting in on the ground floor of a franchising movement gives franchisees access to prime territories filled with responsive consumers. This is something that existing brands cannot offer.”
4. Planet Smoothie offers strong leadership in the area and nationwide
Blair, a native of Pennsylvania, began planting churches in the Dallas area in 1985. He entered the profit sector with an innate entrepreneurial spirit and years of experience in leadership development. From the pilot store he opened in McKinney in 2012, he envisions 20-30 new smoothie franchises throughout North Texas within the next 10 years. He is committed to training and developing franchisees who want to tap into what is now an underdeveloped market.
On a national level, Planet Smoothie franchisees receive extensive training, ongoing coaching and operations manuals to help them master the operations of a Planet Smoothie store. Training takes place four to 10 weeks before a smoothie franchise opens and includes two to three days of classroom training at our headquarters in Brentwood, Tennessee, as well as four days of in-store training at an operating Planet Smoothie. In most cases, the in-store training will immediately follow the classroom training.
Franchisees also attend conventions and conferences where they learn the latest food industry trends and business strategies, share ideas with the Planet Smoothie management team, learn about company initiatives and have a chance to meet Planet Smoothie owners in other markets and learn from their successes.
5. Dallas has a warm, smoothie-friendly climate
With its mild winters and hot summers, North Texas is a friendly place for frozen treat entrepreneurs.
According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, temperatures reach a high in the upper 50s during January and December, the area’s coldest months. It gets very hot in Dallas during the warmer months with temperatures peaking at 96 degrees in July and August. During that time, plenty of Dallas residents can head for a Planet Smoothie to cool off.
“For many of our customers, our smoothies are a part of their daily diet,” Blair explains. “Weather has little effect upon their purchasing patterns. But for our other customers who are not extremely health-conscious or dieting with us, it is great to be in the kind of climate that enables a steady sales track throughout the year.”
Learn more
For in-depth details about the Planet Smoothie franchise opportunity, download our free franchise report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.