Talk to A Veteran Planet Smoothie Store Owner Today!
Meet Cherri Scoggin, a gospel-singing former multi-unit Planet Smoothie owner who now helps potential franchisees learn about the business
When you fill out a form to learn more about Planet Smoothie, you may wonder what will happen next. The answer: You’ll be getting a call from Cherri Scoggin, a gospel singer who owned three Planet Smoothie franchises in Orlando, before selling them to move closer to family. She is a veteran store owner who is helping potential franchisees find their place in the Planet Smoothie franchise family!
Cherri is part of our corporate headquarters team in Nashville. She owned her Orlando stores from 2005 to 2013, which gives her a unique perspective on our smoothie franchise and what it’s like to be an owner.
We asked her to share a little bit about herself and her experience.
Are you originally from Nashville?
I’m from Montgomery, Alabama, which is about four hours away and is close enough to visit easily. I have a lot of friends here thanks to my music career. Nashville is the home of the gospel music industry.
How did you wind up owning three Planet Smoothies in Orlando?
I had four kids and was a stay-at-home mom for a few years, and we became regular customers of a Planet Smoothie near our house. My husband, Rodger, liked to joke that our smoothie budget was out of control. One day, I was talking about what I should do once our youngest son, Chase, was old enough to go to school, and we wound up kidding each other about opening a Planet Smoothie. Two weeks later, he brings me some paperwork and says that he’s been looking into it and it looks like a really good opportunity. We opened our first store in March 2005, and by the end of 2006 we had three.
Was it hard to grow that quickly?
Going from one to three so quick was crazy at first, but we had a great opportunity to purchase two stores that were close to our home and that were in great locations. I quickly realized I would need to hire a manager to run our first location. I ran the second location, and our daughter, Courtney, managed the third location. Rodger handled the money. It was definitely a family business.
How much money did you make?
Franchise candidates ask me that question, of course. All I can tell you is that I was very pleased with how my stores performed. Now that I’m part of the corporate team, there are federal rules that bar me from talking about specific numbers — however, part of the process of learning about Planet Smoothie involves talking with existing franchisees, and they are free to share their numbers with you.
What did you like about owning your stores?
I loved being in the store and building relationships with customers and employees. We became a family. I do miss owning my stores, but I really love what I am doing. I absolutely love getting up in the morning and coming in here. In love with my coworkers. I fell in love with them as an operator, and I only love them more as a team member.
What is it like being part of the corporate team after a decade as a franchisee?
I have learned an amazing amount in the past two months about this side of the business and the ways the team here works to support franchisees. The rewarding thing about my new position is getting to talk to people and helping them get into their own stores — helping Planet Smoothie change their lives the same way it changed mine. The team here provides a lot of tools and resources — every tool a new franchisee needs for success. One of the greatest things is that our CEO is so approachable and down to earth.
What are Planet Smoothie’s strengths?
I think the corporate support team and resources give franchisees every tool for success, and as long as they use those tools, the product sells itself. It really is the best-tasting smoothie on the planet.
What’s your favorite smoothie?
My favorite is Java the Nut. I’m not normally a coffee person, but I make an exception for that one! I also love the açaí bowl.
Learn more about Planet Smoothie and our Veteran Store Owners today!
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.