Smoothie King Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs
Smoothie King was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It began franchising in 1989 and has grown into the largest smoothie and smoothie bowl brand worldwide, with over 1,350 locations. The franchise’s mission is to inspire healthier lifestyles by offering smoothies tailored to specific health goals.
The menu features a variety of smoothies designed for fitness, wellness, and meal replacements. Smoothie King’s focus on customization and high-quality ingredients distinguishes it from competitors. The brand regularly updates its offerings to keep up with trends and customer preferences.
Franchisees benefit from strong support, including top-tier training, marketing services, and ongoing operational help. Smoothie King’s proven business model and market strength make it an appealing opportunity for investors.
Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Smoothie King franchise? It costs on average between $346,000 – $1,278,000 to start a Smoothie King franchised restaurant.
This includes costs for construction, equipment, inventory, and initial operating expenses. The exact amount depends on various factors, including the type of restaurant you choose, the location, and whether the franchisee chooses to lease or purchase the property. Smoothie King offers 2 types of franchises:
| Location Type | Initial Investment |
|---|---|
| Traditional end-cap or in-line location | $346,350 – $679,465 |
| Free-standing drive-thru location | $661,150 – $1,277,650 |
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Smoothie King Free-standing drive-thru location. For more information on costs required to start a Smoothie King franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $30,000 |
| Three Months’ Rental & Deposit | $5,000 – $30,000 |
| Technology Systems | $12,000 – $14,500 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $7,500 – $15,000 |
| Travel and Training Expenses | $2,700 – $6,000 |
| Insurance (First Year’s Premium) | $3,500 – $7,500 |
| Other Prepaid Expenses | $14,700 – $29,400 |
| Start-Up Supplies, Inventory | $24,750 – $25,500 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment, Millwork | $109,000 – $139,000 |
| Architectural & Engineering Services | $30,000 – $50,000 |
| Signage | $28,000 – $38,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $350,000 – $825,000 |
| Legal, Accounting & Organizational Costs | $500 – $4,000 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Drive-Thru | $25,000 – $33,750 |
| Additional Funds — 3 Months | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| TOTAL | $661,150 – $1,277,650 |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Smoothie King franchise? A Smoothie King franchised restaurant makes on average $627,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
Smoothie King Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
What funding options are available for a Smoothie King franchise?
Most franchise buyers in Smoothie King’s investment range finance their unit through an SBA 7(a) loan, with some multi-unit operators using SBA 504 loans for real estate. Buyers with rollable retirement funds sometimes use a ROBS structure to reduce debt service. See SharpSheets’ financial model hub for funding guidance.
How long does it take to pay back a Smoothie King franchise investment?
Payback periods for franchises in Smoothie King’s category typically run 3-7 years, depending on investment level, location performance, and financing structure. Actual payback varies significantly by unit performance and debt service obligations.
Who owns Smoothie King?
Smoothie King is owned by Wan Kim, a South Korean entrepreneur who acquired the company in 2012. Before purchasing Smoothie King, Wan Kim had been a franchisee of the brand since 2002. Under his leadership, the company has focused on expanding both domestically and internationally, particularly in South Korea.
SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: June 2026
→ How much does a Smoothie King franchise owner make? Full income breakdown and analysis.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. SharpSheets is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any franchisor mentioned on this website. Where noted, figures are taken from the franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). In some cases, we may provide independent calculations or estimates based on publicly available information. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
Research Smoothie King franchise data: For the full FDD cost breakdown, investment tables, and Item 19 disclosures, visit FranchisePayback.com → Smoothie King FDD Review.
