What Planet Smoothie does

Planet Smoothie is a smoothie and smoothie-bowl franchise concept founded in 1995 in Atlanta, Georgia, and currently operating approximately 150 independently owned and operated franchise locations across more than 25 US states, with international expansion into Australia via master franchisee Smoothie Group Pty. Ltd. since 2022. The company was acquired by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Kahala Brands in 2015; Kahala Brands is a subsidiary of Canada's MTY Food Group (TSX: MTY), which operates nearly 30 restaurant brands across approximately 3,000 locations in 35 countries. Planet Smoothie sells real-fruit smoothies organized by lifestyle category (Protein, Energy, Superfood, Meal Replacement, Kids) and offers a proprietary line of "Blast" add-ins including whey protein (12g), plant-based protein (13g), meal replacement protein (21g with 15 vitamins/minerals), collagen peptides (10g), energy, immunity, probiotic, hydration, multivitamin, and fat burner variants. The brand also sells smoothie bowls (açaí and dragon fruit bases) introduced in 2023, a Planet Kids menu, and gift cards.

The business model is a traditional franchise system: revenue is generated at the franchisor level through royalty fees, marketing fund contributions, and (likely) proprietary supply arrangements from approximately 150 US stores, with growth driven by franchisee recruitment and new-store openings. Customer-facing channels include in-store purchases, an online ordering platform (order.planetsmoothie.com), a mobile app (Spendgo-powered), and the Planet VIP loyalty program (1 point per dollar, $5 reward at 50 points, $6 birthday reward). Marketing emphasizes event-driven promotions around National Smoothie Day (June 21) and National Bowl Day (April 6), active social media presence on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, and co-branded partnerships with Vital Proteins, Silk, Nutella, KIDZ BOP, and a multi-year charitable partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. The corporate entity is Kahala Franchising, L.L.C., headquartered at 9311 East Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Name

Planet Smoothie

Legal name

Kahala Franchising, L.L.C.

Website

https://planetsmoothie.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Planet Smoothie is a US smoothie and bowl franchise founded in 1995 with approximately 150 locations across 25+ states and Australia, owned by Kahala Brands (MTY Food Group subsidiary) and serving health-conscious consumers with customizable real-fruit beverages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quick-Service Smoothie & Bowl Restaurant

akta.pro primary industry

Smoothie & Protein Shake Bars (THAFAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Salad & Bowl Concepts (Grain/Protein/Healthy Bowls) (THAFABAF)

Keywords

• Smoothie franchise
• Smoothie bowls
• Healthy beverages
• Quick service restaurant
• Meal replacement drinks

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Franchise Store Sales: Revenue generated from approximately 150 independently owned and operated franchise locations selling smoothies and bowls directly to consumers
2. Gift Cards: Sale of gift cards through retail locations and online ordering platform
3. Planet VIP Loyalty Program: Points-based rewards program where members earn 1 point per dollar spent, redeemable for $5 rewards at 50 points; annual $6 birthday reward for members

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Planet Smoothie is a smoothie and bowl franchise concept founded in 1995 that offers fresh, real-fruit smoothies and smoothie bowls through approximately 150 franchised locations across 25+ US states and internationally in Australia. The menu is organized into lifestyle categories — Protein, Energy, Superfood, Meal Replacement, and Kids — and is complemented by proprietary Blast add-ins (whey protein, plant-based protein, collagen peptides, meal replacement, energy, immunity, probiotics, hydration, multivitamin, fat burner) for customization.

Product overview

Planet Smoothie is a smoothie and bowl franchise concept offering fresh, healthy smoothies made with real fruit. The product portfolio centers on core offerings of smoothies and smoothie bowls, enhanced by Blast add-ins (protein, energy, immunity, hydration boosts). Digital services include a mobile app and online ordering platform. The loyalty program (Planet VIP) drives customer engagement through points-based rewards. Menu is organized into lifestyle categories (Protein, Energy, Superfood, Meal Replacement, Kids) to help customers find options matching their health goals. Founded in 1995, the brand operates approximately 150 locations across 25 states and internationally in Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Planet VIP: Planet Smoothie's email and rewards club loyalty program that offers points for purchases, $1 off any 20oz smoothie or larger upon registration, exclusive promotions, and birthday rewards.
• Planet Smoothie Bowls

Products and services

• Smoothies Fresh, real-fruit smoothies made with lower-calorie, lower-sugar, higher-protein formulations. Menu organized into lifestyle categories: Protein, Energy, Superfood, Meal Replacement, and Planet Favorites. Made-to-order and customizable with Blast add-ins.
• Smoothie Bowls Açaí and dragon fruit-based bowls topped with fresh fruit, granola, honey, and other wholesome ingredients. Available with choice of dragon fruit, açaí, or half & half base.
• Blast Add-ins Standalone enhancement add-ins for smoothies and bowls, including Whey Protein (12g), Plant-Based Protein (13g), Meal Replacement Protein (21g with 15 vitamins/minerals), Collagen Peptides (10g), Energy Blast, Fat Burner Blast, Probiotic, Immunity (1,000mg vitamin C, D, zinc), Multivitamin, and Hydration.
• Planet VIP Rewards Program Free email and rewards club where members earn 1 point per dollar spent, redeemable for $5 rewards at 50 points. Includes $6 annual birthday reward, $1 off any 20oz+ smoothie upon registration, and access to exclusive member-only offers and double-points promotions.
• Mobile App Mobile application (SpendGo-powered) for online ordering, accessing Planet VIP rewards, and receiving exclusive mobile-only promotional offers at participating locations.
• Online Ordering Web-based ordering platform allowing customers to place orders online for in-store pickup and delivery at participating Planet Smoothie franchise locations.
• Gift Cards Gift cards available for purchase online and at participating store locations, redeemable for menu items at any participating Planet Smoothie location.
• Planet Kids Menu Specialized kids-only menu offering smaller portions and kid-friendly flavors (e.g., Twiggy, Little Lunar, Cosmic Cocoa, Captain Kid, Berry Strawberry) tailored for children and family visits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21g protein per serving in meal replacement smoothies
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Annual month-long fundraising partnership during September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) where Planet Smoothie donates $1 to ALSF for every 20oz or larger Lunar Lemonade sold. Partnership began in 2022 and continued through 2025, making it a multi-year core partnership supporting childhood cancer research and family support programs.
• Smoothie Group Pty. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 August 2022Master franchise partnership for international expansion into Australia. Owned and operated by Wally and Carrie Ibrahim, based in Docklands, Victoria. Plans to open second location in Q4 2022 and expand to approximately 40 staff across four retail locations around Melbourne, with longer-term goal of multiple locations within five years.
• Vital Proteins®secondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2022Product partnership to incorporate Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (America's No. 1 collagen brand) into three specialty smoothies: Vitality Vibes, Wellness Warrior, and Get Up & Glow. Each smoothie contains 10g collagen per serving supporting healthy hair, skin, nails and joints.
• Silk®secondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 October 2021Partnership with America's No. 1 plant-based beverage brand to introduce Silk Original Oatmilk in three plant-based smoothies: Berry Dragon Fruit Breeze, Planet Passion, and Salted Peanut Butter Cup. Silk Oatmilk is an excellent source of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Calcium and Riboflavin.
• KIDZ BOP®minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2021Limited edition partnership celebrating KIDZ BOP's 20th birthday with two kids' smoothie flavors: Cereal Party and Sweet and Sour Star Power, available June 28 through September 26, 2021.
• Kahala Brands™coreOthers · 1 January 2015Planet Smoothie was acquired by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Kahala Brands in 2015. Kahala Brands provides world-class brand and support system for franchise owners, operating nearly 30 fast-casual and quick-service restaurant brands with approximately 3,000 locations in 35 countries. Kahala Brands is a subsidiary of MTY Food Group.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Smoothie King: Largest smoothie-focused franchise in the US (~1,000+ locations) offering functional, fitness-oriented smoothies with add-in enhancements; directly competes with Planet Smoothie on product, customer (health/active consumers), and franchise business model.
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Fast-growing smoothie and food franchise (~1,000+ locations) with a broader menu including wraps, sandwiches, and breakfast items; competes head-to-head with Planet Smoothie for health-conscious consumers and franchise investors, with materially larger scale.
• Jamba: Publicly traded smoothie and bowl QSR chain (~800 locations) emphasizing real-fruit smoothies, bowls, and functional add-ins; directly comparable on product, customer segment, and franchised retail model.
• Robeks: Smoothie and juice franchise (~80+ locations) offering real-fruit smoothies, bowls, and juices with functional add-ins; similar product category, target customer, and franchise business model, though at smaller scale.
• Nekter Juice Bar: Franchise concept (~170+ locations) specializing in cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and açaí bowls with a clean/functional ingredient positioning; directly comparable on product mix, health-conscious customer segment, and franchise growth model.
• Frutta Bowls: Açaí and smoothie bowl franchise (~70+ locations) with a focus on fresh, customizable bowls and smoothies; overlaps with Planet Smoothie's bowl and smoothie menu for the same health-conscious consumer.
• Freshii: Health-focused fast-casual franchise offering salads, bowls, wraps, smoothies, and juices; serves a similar health-conscious customer with comparable menu categories and franchise distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Orange Julius: Long-standing smoothie and juice brand operating primarily as a co-brand within Dairy Queen locations; competes with Planet Smoothie in the smoothie category but is part of a much larger incumbent parent (Berkshire Hathaway/Restaurant Brands) with broader food-service portfolio.

Emerging players

• Playa Bowls: Emerging açaí, pitaya, and smoothie bowl franchise (~200+ locations) with a beach-lifestyle positioning; comparable to Planet Smoothie's bowl menu and smoothie-add-on approach but with a distinct lifestyle brand.

Regional players

• Juice Generation: New York City-focused smoothie, juice, and bowl concept with a few locations; comparable product mix (smoothies, bowls, cold-pressed juices) but operates in a single regional market rather than competing nationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/planetsmoothie
• Facebookfacebook.com/planetsmoothie
• Instagraminstagram.com/planetsmoothie
• TikToktiktok.com/@planetsmoothie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/planet-smoothie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planet Smoothie