Planet Smoothie’s Protein Products Can Turn Trend Into Franchise Revenue

R&D combines with market research to create the smoothies consumers crave, and that franchise owners of one of the top smoothie franchises can’t get out of the blenders fast enough

If there’s a word for today’s hottest food trend, it’s protein. Animal or plant-based, it’s the ingredient consumers want in everything they eat and drink — including smoothies. That’s not news to the trend-trackers at Kahala Brands™, who keep tabs on what’s happening on the consumer front, and then bring those ideas to the R&D team. Result? The perfect blend of in-demand products for owners of one of the top smoothie franchises, Planet Smoothie, to offer eager customers.

For example, in early 2021 Planet Smoothie launched three new smoothies with an all-new, proprietary Meal Replacement Protein. The blend offered up whey protein isolate, which savvy consumers identify as a desired protein, along with 15 essential vitamins and minerals. The new, nutrient-rich smoothies have been a big hit, resulting in increased foot traffic and higher sales for franchise owners.

From drawing board to customer’s cup

The protein-product rollout is just the latest in a long, long line of great-tasting, innovative products from the Planet Smoothie franchise test kitchen. It, along with overall R&D efforts, tie into a promotion schedule geared to drive both new and repeat business into every Planet Smoothie franchise.

That means working up new recipes or tweaking old ones to evolve around new ingredients or flavor combos. Not everything will make it to the franchises, even if it tastes good, because it’s not feasible from a pricing standpoint. That’s another way that Kahala protects Planet Smoothie franchise owners — by not loading them down with trendy, but unprofitable, offerings.

Franchisee feedback is valued — and essential

The franchise owners also get to contribute to the idea funnel as well. While many ideas do come from the corporate kitchen, every Planet Smoothie franchise is in itself a test market, and plans are being finalized to make sure that every owner has plenty of opportunities for product input.

“We want to hear everything from the front lines,” says John Wuycheck, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development. “We review every idea we get from every Planet Smoothie franchise owner and customer. It’s a two-way process that gives the widest scope imaginable to invent and create wonderful new smoothies that generate interest, and profits, for Planet Smoothie franchise owners.”

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 one of the top smoothie franchises

To learn more about franchising with one of the top smoothie franchises, Planet Smoothie, please visit our website. Read the latest news on our blog, and delve into the options for ownership on our research pages.