QSR Magazine: Demand for Smoothies Is on the Rise

Demand for smoothies is higher than ever, a new report from Fact.MR shows. The market is valued at $27.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach a whopping $52.5 billion in 10 years. This puts brands like juice bar and smoothie chain Main Squeeze Juice Company ® in a prime position to capitalize on the health and wellness trend, which was bolstered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A newer player in the smoothie space, Main Squeeze Juice Co. opened its first store in New Orleans in 2017. It has since expanded to 28 units, with around 60 locations currently in development. The company’s footprint almost doubled this spring when it acquired I Love Juice Bar, a 23-unit concept with its own selection of juices, bowls and smoothies.

Chief Operating Officer Julie Canseco says that, because of the current inflationary environment, acquisitions are a good way to grow. The franchise is exploring more opportunities to purchase similar concepts and expand into markets where it can convert existing stores into Main Squeeze locations.

“Mom and pop juice bars have really struggled lately because the costs have been so out of whack. They don’t have buying power and they don’t have any leverage. It’s just a lot harder to make a fresh product,” she said. “Second-generation sites are everywhere, and they’re already built for this.”

Meanwhile, Main Squeeze Juice Co. is also aiming to bolster its breakfast business. Around 70 percent of the brand’s revenue comes from juices and smoothies, and much of that business is lunch driven.

“Our challenge is being able to educate that we have something other than juices and smoothies,” she said. “That means maximizing our lunch by sampling things out, so people are primed to come back for breakfast later. We’re really focused on that 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. window — think overnight chia seed pudding and different types of breakfast wraps. We’re also looking at making bars out of our juice pulp to really make a more robust breakfast daypart program.”