Retro Fitness started in 2005 with just two clubs — one in Manahawkin and another in Lumberton, N.J. Now, Retro Fitness has grown to 89 clubs in 11 states. Throughout its growth, its smoothie bars have become a club staple, as well as an integral profit center.
With smoothies provided by The Smoothie Company, Matt Schultz, the VP of franchise operations for Retro Fitness, explained how the partnership has benefited Retro Fitness franchises.
CS: What challenges did you face before you chose to work with The Smoothie Company?
MS: Mainly price, inventory control and consistency. Before we teamed with The Smoothie Company, we would stop at the store and pick up fruit, milk, etcetera, which were the items members wanted. With that came inventory problems, such as not purchasing enough or purchasing too much of these perishable items. Also, there were no streamlined systems for controlling what amounts of these products employees would use, creating consistency problems, thus making the member experience non-consistent.
CS: Why did your club choose to implement “Skinny Smoothies,” one of The Smoothie Company’s newest products?
MS: Sometimes it’s difficult to educate the general public on the importance of feeding the body after a workout, and why calories are important in their everyday lives. “Skinny Smoothies” allowed us the ability to offer a reduced-calorie version of each smoothie on our menu, thus drawing the member that may have been discouraged by the higher-calorie smoothie offerings.
CS: Describe how you have implemented “Skinny Smoothies” in your club, and what were you looking to accomplish?
MS: Social media blasts, in-club marketing and education were the keys to implementation in our Retro Fitness clubs. We were looking for more “energy” and “excitement” with this implementation, thus equaling more sales, and that’s exactly what we got!
CS: How has The Smoothie Company helped you and your business?
MS: The Smoothie Company has been with Retro Fitness since inception and has been a great partner over all these years. The Smoothie Company strives to deliver the best products and service I’ve seen over many years in this business. In-club set-up, staff training and equipment service are extremely key to the smoothie business and they are with our franchisees during each one of these steps today, and throughout the life of their business.
CS: What are the greatest benefits from working with and using The Smoothie Company?
MS: Loyalty! We have a great partnership that has grown over the years and its loyalty to us, our franchisees and our brand is unprecedented.
CS: What is the most important thing The Smoothie Company has helped you and your club accomplish?
MS: Keeping the brand intact while still updating products, flavors and menus to help keep the exciting and fresh atmosphere for our members. In addition, allowing the “Retro Blends Branding” as our menu options has been beneficial.
For more information about The Smoothie Company and how it can benefit your club, click the image below to visit The Smoothie Company’s website.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
