Smoothie King: Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy eating – who wouldn't want to commit to this, and to a lifestyle that will help you live better for longer? Dubbed the "Nutritional Lifestyle Center," Smoothie King is a business specializing in smoothies and health food, concentrating on nutritious, fruit-based and blended drinks. Smoothie King's founder, Steve Kuhnau, is even credited with the invention of the smoothie. With its primary location in Kenner, Louisiana and established in 1973, Smoothie King has expanded considerably to more than 600 locations worldwide.

Smoothie King began when Steve Kuhnau, a soda jerker in his youth, was unable to drink and digest shakes, malts and floats due to lactose intolerance. In order to enjoy the same, Kuhnau prepared a mixture of fresh fruit, vitamins and protein additives as an alternative to the dairy-based ice cream drinks he was preparing. Kuhnau found that his smoothie remedied his allergies and helped stabilize his blood sugar. His idea was revolutionary and turned out to be a huge success. The first store in Louisiana sold vitamins and the new smoothie invention, which was quickly followed by several more stores in the surrounding towns and cities. By the late 1980s, Smoothie King was franchising everywhere, its first international location being in South Korea.

Smoothie King's mission is to "relentlessly influence and help more and more people achieve a healthier lifestyle," in keeping with the company vision to become the healthy alternative of choice. Fuelled by studies showing the negative effects of fastfood and junk food, Smoothie King not only encourages customers to start eating healthier through their smoothies, but also to take up and sustain a healthy lifestyle. Aside from smoothies, Smoothie King now sells snacks and nutritional products, as well as vitamins and supplements. Since 1989, the company has proudly been named the number one franchise for 19 years, according to Entrepreneur Magazine, and continues to uphold that reputation by promoting health as wealth.