Smoothie King vs Vitality Bowls Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Smoothie King vs Vitality Bowls including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Smoothie King Franchise
Vitality Bowls Franchise
Investment $269,550 - $845,985$170,100 - $604,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$39,500
Royalty Fee 6%6%
Advertising Fee 3%1.5%
Year Founded 19872011
Year Franchised 19882014
Term Of Agreement 10 years7 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years7 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Smoothie King Franchise
Vitality Bowls Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Franchisee Profile

    *Passionate about VITALITY BOWLS *Passionate about healthy food and a healthy lifestyle *Local market knowledge *Minimum $30-60K liquid assets per store and total of $200k+ (May include lending) *Single store and multi unit development opportunities available, depending on your market *Retail or restaurant operations experience is helpful


    Financing Options

     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    Vitality Bowls Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    Vitality Bowls Franchise
    Training -

    VITALITY BOWLS operates training units in Walnut Creek, CA. We will do our best to schedule your training in an area that is convenient for you. Training will also take place at your location before and/or after you open.

    Our training program teaches you the day-to-day operation of your VITALITY BOWLS unit. VITALITY BOWLS requires that the franchisee, an operating partner, or a general manager, designated by the franchisee, attend our full-time, training program. This program will teach you how to fully operate your VITALITY BOWLS unit from the ground up. We will not let you open until we are satisfied we have provided you with sufficient training to be successful.

    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives

    After signing your franchise agreement, we are available for continuous, direct support. You can count on us for operational input and best practices information. In addition, we will visit you regularly to ensure you are maximizing the potential of your business and we are helping you in every way we can.

    On a continuing basis, we will drive the brand and support your efforts in marketing, real estate and development, supply chain, and IT. Should you have questions or need help with issues in these areas, you can call us.

    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media-
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 9

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    Vitality Bowls Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Smoothie King

    When visits to various doctors did little to relieve the allergies Steve Kuhnau was suffering from, the nurse began reading up on nutrition, hoping a change in diet would help his symptoms. Once he began eating fresh foods and cutting fat out of his diet, Kuhnau started feeling better. His next task was to find a way to tackle the midday fatigue caused by hypoglycemia. Using his nursing expertise and the drink mixing experience he gained as a soda jerk in high school, Kuhnau began experimenting with high protein drinks. The resulting product combined fresh fruits, vitamins and other supplements and inspired the creation of Kuhnau's company, Smoothie King.
    Each Smoothie King store sells smoothies and a variety of vitamins, minerals, low fat snacks and nutritional supplements. Offering 40 percent off its initial franchise fee agreements for the first 40 agreements in 2013 IN St. Louis.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a traditional Smoothie King Business ranges from for an end-cap or in-line location, $269,550 to $545,035, and for a free-standing drive-thru location, $577,100 to $845,985. This includes $28,250 to $36,990 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    If you sign an Area Development Agreement, you also must pay the franchisor a development fee of $12,500 for each Smoothie King franchise you commit to develop after the first franchise. You must develop a minimum of 5 Smoothie King Businesses under the Area Development Agreement.
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee
    ""  "Entrepreneur

    #14 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #19 in Franchise 500 for 2021.







    About Vitality Bowls

    Roy and Tara Gilad, a pair of successful business owners, founded Vitality Bowls in 2011 in San Ramon, California. The duo started the superfood cafe concept together as a result of discovering their daughter's severe food allergies and wanting to find healthy food alternatives. Since franchising began in 2014, the brand has seen significant growth with nearly 40 cafes open and in development. Today, Vitality Bowls is redefining the fast casual healthy food restaurant sector every day at each of its locations across the country. Tailored to owners and operators that place value in the nation's nutritious food movement, the franchise model provides structure and scalability. Many of the current franchisees began as loyal customers who wanted to be a part of the future of food chains. Franchisees can open up to three stores in a protected territory. If you are passionate about a healthy lifestyle and want operate a thriving business, VITALITY BOWLS might be the right choice for you. We look for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit who takes a hands-on approach to managing their business in addition to supporting their local community. If you are ready for an exciting new experience, owning a VITALITY BOWLS franchise may be in your future.

    Vitality Bowls area developers acquire the right to develop multiple Vitality Bowls Restaurants in a designated development area. The development fee is $39,500 for the first Restaurant to be developed under the Area Development Agreement, plus $29,500 for the second Restaurant, and $20,000 for each subsequent Restaurant to be developed under the Area Development Agreement. To develop five outlets as an Area Developer, the development fees would total $129,000. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Vitality Bowls area developer business will depend on the number of Vitality Bowls Restaurants to be opened. A minimum of three outlets must be developed according to the Area Development Agreement.

    The estimated total investment necessary to begin operations for a Vitality Bowls Restaurant ranges from $170,100 and $604,000. This includes between $20,000 and $39,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.

    #185 in Franchise 500 for 2021.  Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.