Many health clubs are looking to increase revenue from areas other than memberships. Adding a new smoothie bar as a profit center, to take advantage of your club’s existing daily traffic, will help accomplish this financial goal and give your members refreshments that are both enjoyable and beneficial.
It’s now cheaper and easier than ever to implement a complete smoothie program in your facility. Today’s many choices offer: high quality blenders and portion-control blending systems; easy-to-use aseptically packaged or shelf-stable products, and other supplier offerings to help complete turnkey smoothie programs.
Important Considerations When Adding a Smoothie Bar…
1. You will be wise to talk with complete smoothie bar suppliers. They have a vested interest in your overall success through ongoing product sales.
2. As you compare one supplier to another, make sure you are comparing “apples to apples.” What do they include with each start-up package? What will you be responsible for? What will be offered to you on an ongoing basis?
3. Always check with your local health department to see what requirements they have for adding a smoothie bar. Most are only looking to ensure a proper sanitation process is implemented.
4. Marketing is a critical component in the long-term success of your smoothie bar. A good supplier will offer you all of the essentials to open and maintain a successful smoothie bar business.
Creating the Right Atmosphere Will Improve Your Sales and Profits!
1. Many Clubs are choosing to combine the smoothie and juice bar within space at the front desk. Keeping these together can reduce payroll – when utilizing the same staff for both functions. An “easy” smoothie bar system will enhance your ability to make this plan work!
2. Give your members a reason to stop by the Smoothie & Juice Bar; it should be an inviting, interesting focal point of the club.
3. Consider the external market. When you start selling smoothies, you then have an effective way of drawing people into your club who wouldn’t normally come into your club, and you may just sell them a membership as well!
Club owners will benefit from the enormous revenue, excitement and overall attractiveness that only a smoothie bar can add. A smoothie bar can make money and improve interest in your club almost effortlessly…What else could you ask for?
Desmond Mactavish is the Director of Operations for The Royale Smoothie Company. He can be contacted at 717.798.5167, or by email at desmond@smoothiecompany.com, or visit www.smoothiecompany.com for more information on turnkey portion control smoothie programs.
