QSR Web:
Most menu items have a distinct role: main dish, side, snack, dessert, beverage. While some crossover may be possible, not many items can claim to be all things to all people. Enter the smoothie, whose versatility enables it to be consumed any time of day and as any component of the meal.
Smoothies have taken over the beverage menu at chains such as Jack in the Box, Dunkin’ Donuts and Burgerville, with each chain either launching or expanding its smoothie beverage line.
When New Orleans-based Smoothie King opened its first store in 1973, smoothies didn’t have much appeal, said Richard Leveille, executive vice president of development and real estate. In fact, most people assumed a smoothie was some type of ice-cream shake. How times have changed.
Made-to-order smoothies are a big business in the United States, raking in more than $2 billion each year, according to Chicago-based Mintel International, a global consumer, product and market research firm. And its popularity continues to grow. The segment increased 13 percent in the last year, according to Jamba Juice data, and some players are growing even faster — Jamba Juice posted 18 percent for the same period.
Operators considering adding smoothies should know there are benefits.