The chain, which claims to have coined the word "smoothie" in 1973, is also adding flatbreads and rolling out ovens to franchisees at no cost
Smoothie King announced plans to open more than 200 new locations and expand its food menu, citing consumer demand for higher-protein and nutrient-focused options as a key driver of growth.
Felder told CNBC that roughly 90 of those locations are slated to debut this year, with franchisees already signed on for the broader pipeline. The Dallas-based chain currently operates more than 1,200 locations, with franchisees running more than 96% of them, according to the company.
"There are significant industry tailwinds behind what we're doing," Felder told CNBC. "What we've learned is people are a lot more conscious about what choices they're making. A lot of people are focusing on protein now and on fiber and all those good things."
Franchise disclosure documents cited by CNBC show the chain brought in $66.16 million in revenue during 2025, a 4% increase year over year, though profitability slipped — net income dropped roughly 6% to $14.84 million. Measured against five years ago, the chain's footprint is roughly 23% larger and total sales across all locations have surged approximately 64%, the company said.
Flatbreads are also coming to the menu, supplementing a food lineup that already features items such as smoothie bowls, loaded toasts, and yogurt bowls. To support the expansion, the company is distributing ovens to existing franchisees at no equipment cost, the company said.
Broader shifts in consumer behavior — among them the surge in GLP-1 drug use, with medications like Ozempic and Wegovy prompting greater attention to protein and fiber intake, and mounting pressure to cut out ultraprocessed foods — have translated into a sales tailwind for Smoothie King even as rival chains contend with diners pulling back on spending, according to CNBC. Its so-called Clean Blends Initiative stripped out preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and genetically modified fruits while introducing organic vegetables.
Felder said the company sees transparency around ingredients as a competitive advantage. "A lot of our guests, they are all about health and wellness," he told CNBC. "They want to make sure they are tracking everything they can. They are very interested in transparency and the level of information that they can get on our brand and our products."
A redesigned store concept is also making its way through the system, with new visual elements — among them branded artwork, plants, an updated menu board, and a warmer color palette — meant to give locations a more inviting feel compared with the chain's earlier utilitarian look, the company said.
Wan Kim, who first encountered the brand as a franchisee in South Korea, took ownership of Smoothie King in 2012 and remains its CEO; a minority stake was sold to private equity firm Main Post Partners last year in a deal the company said would fuel further growth, according to CNBC. The chain ranked 17th in Entrepreneur Magazine's 2026 Franchise 500 list, the company said.
