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Category: Health Markets, Shopping

Smoothie King Franchises Inc. is a smoothie and health food retailer that caters to a healthy lif... More...

Smoothie King Franchises Inc. is a smoothie and health food retailer that caters to a healthy lifestyle through nutritious blended fruit-based drinks. First opening in 1973 as a stand-alone vitamin shop in Kenner, Louisiana; Smoothie King now encompasses over 600 locations (as of March 2009) and appeals to families and fitness enthusiasts alike. Its headquarters is in Covington, Louisiana. History Steve Kuhnau, founder of Smoothie King, is sometimes credited with the creation of the Smoothie. Working as a soda jerker in his teenage years, Kuhnau found himself unable to digest the very malts, shakes, and floats he was preparing, due to a lactose intolerance. Consequently, he formulated the world's first nutritional smoothie in his kitchen, to serve as a healthier, dairy-free alternative to popular ice cream based drinks of the era. His novel drink idea, a blend of fresh fruit coupled with vitamin and protein additives, proved also to be efficacious in treating his allergies and stabilizing his blood-sugar level. This creation was the impetus for an industry: shortly after his first store opened in Kenner, Louisiana 1973, stores began to appear all over the New Orleans Metropolitan area, and subsequently in Washington, D.C. and 32 other contiguous United States. Kuhnau began to franchise the Smoothie King name and business in 1989. Smoothie King's 30 year anniversary, in 2003, was commemorated with their first international franchise, in South Korea. Smoothie King Less...