Surf City Squeeze Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs
Surf City Squeeze is a smoothie and juice bar franchise known for its health-focused beverages and customizable menu. The brand was founded in 1988 in Phoenix, Arizona by triathlete Kevin Blackwell and his wife Kathryn, combining their passion for fitness and nutrition.
By 1994, Surf City Squeeze began franchising, and today it is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The franchise specializes in a wide variety of smoothies, fruit drinks, and nutritional supplements. A proprietary smoothie mix, which makes up nearly 90% of the menu, is the cornerstone of its offerings. This exclusive blend highlights the brand’s commitment to quality ingredients and consistency.
What sets Surf City Squeeze apart is its emphasis on freshness, taste, and customer satisfaction, appealing strongly to health-conscious consumers in a competitive smoothie market.
Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Surf City Squeeze franchise? It costs on average between $69,000 – $390,000 to start a Surf City Squeeze franchised restaurant.
This includes costs for construction, equipment, signage, inventory, and initial operating expenses. The total investment will vary based on several factors, such as the size and type of smoothie bar, the location, and whether the franchisee decides to lease or purchase the property. Surf City Squeeze offers 2 types of franchises:
| Type of Franchise Unit | Initial Investment |
|---|---|
| Traditional Surf City Squeeze Franchise Unit | $89,410 – $390,000 |
| Non-Traditional Surf City Squeeze Franchise Unit | $69,410 – $328,500 |
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Traditional Surf City Squeeze Franchise Unit.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $14,000 – $30,000 |
| Lease Review Fee | $0 – $2,500 |
| Rent/Security Deposit (for three months) | $6,000 – $30,000 |
| Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Architectural Fees | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $6,000 – $175,000 |
| Restaurant Equipment, Furniture, Small Wares, Interior Signage and Menu Panels | $14,000 – $44,000 |
| Exterior Signage | $8,000 – $17,000 |
| Computer Hardware, Software (POS System) | $2,510 – $10,000 |
| PCI Compliance Costs | $150 – $1,300 |
| Opening Inventory (food and paper) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Business Insurance | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $4,750 – $17,200 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $10,000 |
| Depository Account | $3,000 |
| Additional Funds – 3 month initial period | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Total | $89,410 – $390,000 |
Surf City Squeeze Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
What funding options are available for a Surf City Squeeze franchise?
Most franchise buyers in Surf City Squeezes investment range finance their unit through an SBA 7(a) loan, with some multi-unit operators using SBA 504 loans. Buyers with rollable retirement funds sometimes use a ROBS structure. See SharpSheets financial model hub for guidance.
How long does it take to pay back a Surf City Squeeze franchise investment?
Payback periods 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 Surf City Squeeze?
The Surf City Squeeze franchise is owned by Kahala Brands, a large franchising company based in Scottsdale, Arizona that operates numerous quick-service restaurant concepts across the United States and internationally.
SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026
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 Surf City Squeeze franchise data: For the full FDD cost breakdown, investment tables, and Item 19 disclosures, visit FranchisePayback.com → Surf City Squeeze FDD Review.
