One thing that can definitely set a club ahead of the rest is an efficient, exciting smoothie bar. Gym members are looking for a place where they can socialize in an energized environment. Done correctly, a juice bar can provide just that, and will do wonders for the club’s bottom line.
A professional smoothie bar creates an additional profit center for health clubs. It can generate somewhere around $.80 per workout per day.
In most cases, a juice bar requires no more space than the front desk, and costs about as much as one treadmill! Every club owner is looking for the greatest return per-square-foot, and a juice bar is the perfect solution.
The juice bar can be the heart of the club. Why not give your members an area in which to interact?! Without a smoothie bar, members go straight to the locker room, workout, and leave immediately. The juice bar is a place where members can relax, socialize and learn about products and services the club offers.
A professional juice bar helps your club in other ways too, like offering an amenity that your competitor may not, or providing your staff with an area in which to sit and complete new member sales. Free smoothies can be given during tours of the club!
If you’re thinking about adding a juice bar in your club, here are important things that a turnkey system will provide:
• Portion Control: A controlled dispensing system.
• Cost and Calorie Control: An accurate dispensing system to control cost of goods.
• Brand Name: A name brand juice bar that is recognizable to consumers.
In developing your juice bar, look for a turnkey system that is cost-effective, consistent and simple. You want a program that makes it easy to train employees, and tastes great for your customers!
Finally, you want to offer a branded product that carries name recognition with it. Homemade systems rarely work. You want, and need, a system that looks professional and has marketing and support to back it up. There are several smoothie options out there, so consider only those that offer the right stuff!
Stephanie Suddarth is the President of City Blends, Ltd. She can be contacted at 877.525.3637, or by email atstephanie@cityblends.com, or visit www.cityblends.com
