---
title: "First SoBol Smoothie Café Ghost Kitchen is Open for Business in NYC"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/0febd8e6-618f-491c-8890-3e3fe49fed61
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20230420_first_sobol_smoothie_caf_ghost_kitchen_is_open_for_business_in_nyc.html
category: "Beverage & juice"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Beverage & juice"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2023-04-20T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:36:53.830Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524749292158-7540c2494485?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# First SoBol Smoothie Café Ghost Kitchen is Open for Business in NYC

**TL;DR:** SoBol Smoothie Café has opened its first ghost kitchen in NYC as part of Cloud Kitchens, offering a full menu for pick-up or delivery. The ghost kitchen is owned by franchise owner Maulik Patel, who is excited about the concept's potential.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-04-20. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20230420_first_sobol_smoothie_caf_ghost_kitchen_is_open_for_business_in_nyc.html).*

## Story

The brand’s first ever ghost kitchen is part of Cloud Kitchens, a shared space in Long Island City just over the Queensboro bridge, and it’s becoming a hit for people in the city looking for a healthy and refreshing meal option.

It’s a pioneering concept for franchise owner Maulik Patel, who says the future is bright for this model. “We offer a full SoBol menu here but only for pick-up or delivery.” Patel adds, “This has become such a popular food service model for consumers because of online and app ordering convenience and accessibility. We felt we had to try it. As word has spread to offices and residents in this part of the city, business is growing.”

Patel is especially excited to bring the SoBol menu to people in Queens because he grew up about 10 blocks from this location. He also owns a more traditional fast casual SoBol in Huntington, NY about 30 miles from his ghost kitchen. This multi-unit franchisee was introduced to the brand by his partner and brother-in-law, who also owns several SoBol cafes.

Both were attracted to the business because of the brands’ mission and model. “Healthy food is definitely trending so it’s good business,” remarks Patel. “SoBol was our choice because it’s about putting our customers first and using the freshest ingredients in a completely customizable menu.

That is the recipe for success.”

SoBol founder Jason Mazzarone is also excited to explore this new concept. “We really love the fast casual environment in our cafes because it provides a sense of community. But being part of the growing trend of ghost kitchens is an exciting new venture. We are all about making someone’s day. If we can do that by having someone’s favorite smoothie delivered to their work or home, that’s an awesome way to expand our brand.”

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- new york (location)
- food delivery (topic)
- ghost kitchen (topic)
- CloudKitchens (company)
- Long Island City (location)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20230420_first_sobol_smoothie_caf_ghost_kitchen_is_open_for_business_in_nyc.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/0febd8e6-618f-491c-8890-3e3fe49fed61).