Why Planet Smoothie can be a Great Franchise For Veterans
Planet Smoothie provides incentives for former military service members
Former military service members often choose to pursue small-business ownership when they separate from active duty. It makes sense. They’ve learned the value of following a proven series of steps to complete a project, and they are experts in setting and achieving goals.
When these men and women begin to explore what’s out there, they naturally look at the best options when it comes to a franchise for veterans to own. When they find the right fit, they take action: According to the U.S. Small Business Association, nearly one in 10 businesses are veteran owned, for around 2.5 million nationwide.
Many Planet Smoothie™ franchises are veteran owned, thanks to the support franchise owners receive at every step, from initial inquiries all the way through site selection, grand opening and ongoing mentoring and support. What’s more, “Planet Smoothie also offers a 20% discount on franchise fees as a way to thank veterans for their service”, says Doug Merenda, Director of Franchise Development.
“We love to help former military veterans achieve their dreams of franchise ownership,” Merenda says. “The Planet Smoothie franchise can be an excellent choice for veterans, thanks to their eagerness and discipline, as well as our franchise’s accessible business model and extensive training and support.”
Veterans enjoy brand’s storied history and historical growth
Planet Smoothie is a franchise for veterans that sets itself apart by offering great-tasting smoothies that use fresh, natural ingredients. In a side-by-side comparison, Planet Smoothie products generally have less sugar and fewer calories — a big competitive advantage as Americans continue to demand healthier options.
What’s more, smoothies are just as popular now as when the smoothie craze began in earnest back in the 1990s. They’re an all-day food, so there’s no ebb and flow for a Planet Smoothie franchise. That means staffing and inventory are easier to control, which boosts efficiency and profitability right along with strong sales.
“Smoothies can be for breakfast, a snack, enjoyed after a workout, or even as dessert,” Merenda says. “That means people can come in whenever they want, for whatever they want, and find it on our menu board. We’ve got super fruits for energy, protein smoothies and supplements for after a workout, and lower-calorie options for people who are on specific diets.”
Smoothie industry allows rapid franchise growth
Great news: Planet Smoothie is still growing in the $6.6 billion smoothie industry. Americans are hungry for healthy dining options, and Planet Smoothie answers that demand by offering healthy menu items that are both convenient and delicious. The demographics of smoothie customers are evolving, and Planet Smoothie is attracting more customers every year as a whole-family destination.
“Parents bring their kids in when they’re out shopping or running errands, or even before or after a movie or ballgame,” Merenda says. “After-school is a very busy time with teenagers as well as parents with younger children, but franchise locations also see families during the evening and on the weekends. Planet Smoothie is a destination for all ages, so our owners benefit because they’re interacting with all kinds of people and building that customer loyalty. That means more frequent visits, and a solid bottom line for the business.”
Kahala Brands, Planet Smoothie provide world-class support
Planet Smoothie is led by a veteran franchise team and dedicated brand support team as part of the Kahala Brands™ family. That’s a huge advantage in many ways, Merenda explains.
“Because we have more than a dozen well-known brands in markets all across the United States, we are able to negotiate pricing that is far superior to what a smaller operation, or a standalone store, can obtain on its own,” he says. “That brings real value to our franchise operators. For instance, one major benefit to buying as a group is that everything from bananas and strawberries to straws and napkins can be purchased in large quantities. That means per-unit prices that can’t be beat, allowing owners to keep more revenue in-store and thus increase their margin.”
In addition, every Planet Smoothie franchise also benefits from Kahala’s operating systems for inventory control, payroll, and other accounting and back-office tasks.
“Our franchise partners don’t have to go out and vet office software, because we’ve got that in place for them,” Merenda says. “That makes a huge difference, because we can train them on how to use the system and help them if there are any problems. No sitting on hold for a software vendor’s customer service, which is a big deal when you’re running a busy smoothie franchise. And because our system is so comprehensive, it can handle all their operating needs easily and free the owner up to be out meeting customers and running the business.”
Planet Smoothie can be a perfect franchise for veterans!
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.
To learn more about Planet Smoothie franchise options, please visit research pages here. If you’re ready to start a conversation about investing in a Planet Smoothie franchise, we invite you to fill out our form here. We can’t wait to hear from you!