Chain Now Open at 7 a.m. Nationwide

March 23, 2009

NEW ORLEANS — Smoothie King Franchises, Inc., today announced that its nearly 600 locations across the country are now open at 7 a.m. on weekdays. The expanded hours reflect the country’s demand for quick and healthy breakfast options.

“So many of our guests have been asking for early morning hours,” said Steve Kuhnau, co-founder of Smoothie King. “As a business move, we see this as a great way to address the needs of our guests, providing a quick and healthful alternative to traditional breakfast fast foods.”

Kuhnau also cites the new morning hours as a way to further the company’s mission to relentlessly influence more and more people to achieve healthy lifestyles. “We want to ensure folks are taking care of their health by making good choices throughout the day, and starting with a good breakfast is critical,” said Kuhnau. “Nutritious, refreshing, and the ultimate in portability, we think our smoothies are the perfect breakfast option.”

Smoothie King offers more than 40 blends that include real fruit, all-natural juices, and a functional mix of vitamins and nutrients. Guests can also choose from several options that include added protein and fiber for an even longer-lasting fullness. For those with a desire to chew at breakfast, Smoothie King has expanded its breakfast offerings with a new line of all-natural, protein-enriched muffins and breakfast cookies.

“Studies have shown that nearly half of Americans are skipping breakfast — and yet it’s no secret a healthy breakfast is critical to starting the day off well,” said Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, and Smoothie King nutritional consultant.

“Plus, as Americans face mounting levels of stress, eating a healthy breakfast can help support well-being — from boosting energy to maintaining optimum blood and sugar levels, and helping to protect the immune system,” said Kimball.

Exceptions to the new opening time include locations in airports and shopping malls, where hours may vary.

Kuhnau began making smoothies in response to his own health issues and food allergies in the late 1960s. More than 30 years later, he and his wife Cindy, Smoothie King’s co-founder, are accomplishing their desire to bring healthful products to mainstream America.

To date, more than 200 million Smoothie King smoothies have been served at more than 580 locations in 32 states across the United States and in South Korea.

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About Smoothie King Franchises, Inc.

Smoothie King is a privately held, New Orleans-area-based franchise company and the premier Smoothie Bar and Nutritional Lifestyle Center in the industry. Smoothie King Centers offer guests the industry’s first, original nutritional fruit- and function-based, fresh-blended smoothies. Each Lifestyle Center also offers healthy retail product solutions, including sports beverages, energy bars, healthy snacks, vitamin supplements, herbs, minerals and other sports nutrition products. Smoothie King opened its first store in 1973 and started as the first franchised smoothie bar/health food store business in the United States in 1989. Smoothie King currently has more than 580 units operating in 32 states and the Republic of Korea. For more information, visit www.smoothieking.com.