There is no doubt that smoothies are getting more and more popular these days. An increasing number of people are drinking it everyday and smoothie bars are sprouting everywhere, offering people many choices of the nutritious drink. Recent statistics reveal that the consumption of smoothies has grown over eighty percent in the past five years and the market brings in over $ 2 billion in sales every year.
There is a good reason why more people are drinking smoothies. Most have begun to realize that the fare being offered by fast food chains, though convenient, are not good for the body. Smoothies are the healthier alternative to these on-the-go meals. Aside from the no-fuss preparation, they contain nutrients that are not found in burgers and fries. In addition, they also have less fat, a plus factor to a nation where obesity is becoming an epidemic. It is no wonder then that more people are becoming more health-conscious and are starting to make healthy food choices. Considering all these, it is obvious that the smoothie business industry still has much room to grow and entrepreneurs can take advantage of this opportunity.
There are several options on where and how the business can be started and what menu to offer.
Startup costs depend largely on the kind of smoothie business that will be put up. A franchise will need an initial investment of $ 250K. This can be quite a large amount but a big advantage of franchising is that one can use a brand name that is already well-known and together with it, the customers who patronize the brand. A small kiosk certainly costs less because all that is needed are several blending machines, ingredients and décor. Marketing costs can be substantial especially if starting the smoothie business from scratch. Fliers, leaflets and other media advertisements will have to be done to let people know that the business exists.
Prior to deciding the menu offering for the smoothie business, research has to be conducted. Every fruit and vegetable has its own set of followers, people who believe in their efficacy. For example, some people like mint after meals because it freshens the breath and aids in digestion. Ginger is known to soothe the stomach, has blood purifying properties and is an aphrodisiac. Popeye has made spinach popular and carrots are famous as eye vegetables. In short, the entrepreneur must know what people want and this is what he has to offer.
A good idea would be to mix smoothies that offer benefits that people want to obtain, like anti-aging, memory-boosting, energy-boosting, immunity strengthening and anti-oxidant action. One might have to come up with his own mixes because fruits and vegetables have their unique set of properties and nutrients. For something extra, the smoothies could be spiked with supplements like ginseng, vitamin C or green tea. These are additions that people would be willing to pay more for.
These are just a few of the concerns that need to be addressed when starting a smoothie business. Making smoothies is easy but the real challenge is being able to establish the brand. Despite the hard work and dedication required, being in the smoothie business is worthwhile. Profiting is only half the reward. The most satisfaction comes from helping people become healthier.
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