Planet Smoothie Franchise GM Angie Holder Talks Training & More
New franchise owners value the expertise they have on tap thanks to seasoned trainers, marketers and others who help them start strong and grow quickly
What does it take to operate a Planet Smoothie franchise? That’s what many entrepreneurs want to know as they consider franchise ownership, and it’s the kind of question Angie Holder is ready and willing to answer!
Angie Holder is the General Manager of the Planet Smoothie Waterford Lakes location in Orlando, Florida. She has been with Planet Smoothie since 2006 and has worked her way up into her current position. She also works closely with Area Developer Jason Mann when new franchise owners are being on-boarded, serving as the lead in-store and store-opening trainer.
How does the training you provide here in Orlando tie into the training new Planet Smoothie franchise owners get when they go to corporate headquarters in Arizona?
I usually meet them after they have been to Arizona, and then connect with them again just before their store is set to open. They come into my store and they’re with me for about three to four days. First day, we go through all the paperwork, then we go through the closing procedures and the opening procedures, all the things that they will be doing every day in their own location. It may have been a while since they saw all that, so it’s a good way to refresh them on the basics.
What do you want to see at the end of that time?
I like to see optimism. When they come to me for training, they are coming into one of the highest-volume stores in the area They see what it takes to run a store well with that kind of business, and I like seeing them become eager to have that in their own operation.
Let’s talk about the product. Sometimes people say smoothies are a trend, but you’ve been making them more than a decade. How do you respond to that?
It can get a little bit trendy, people go through fads and phases, but I think healthy living as a lifestyle is one thing that’s definitely not going to fade away. People are always looking to eat healthier, and we have always tied right into that.
Along those lines, how helpful do you think it is for Planet Smoothie that the menu is always evolving?
People can get tired of the same old thing. No matter how much you like strawberry and chocolate, you have to have more. We work really hard to keep our options open and add new things, which is great for the business.
What’s your favorite part of working with new Planet Smoothie franchise owners?
I love actually going out to their stores and helping them get more comfortable in their location. It’s so different for them when it’s “their” store vs. working in mine. When they are with me, they see our VIP customers coming in, people I have known for 12 years, since I first started with Planet Smoothie. They are a blessing to me, and our new franchise owners are so eager to build those relationships.
Planet Smoothie is a smoothie franchise that 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 out healthier options. Planet Smoothie is led by a veteran franchise team and dedicated brand support team as part of the Kahala Brands™ family.
Learn more about owning a Planet Smoothie franchise and Angie Holder here!
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