5 Things to Know Before Opening a Jamba Franchise

Jamba, previously known as Jamba Juice, started in the seaside town of San Luis Obispo, California, in 1990 as just a single juice shop. Today, the company is one of the most recognizable smoothie brands in the country with over 850 locations in the U.S., as well as overseas. It is known for its made-to-order smoothies, juices and bowls. 

If you want to be an owner of the “Whirl’d Famous” smoothie franchise, there are a few things you should know first. 

Jamba is Owned by Focus Brands

In 2018, Jamba was acquired by Focus Brands in a deal valued at $200 million. The Atlanta- based parent company is the operator of more than 5,000 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, and bakeries.

Its other brands include Carvel, Moe’s Southwest Grill, McAlister’s Deli, Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, and Schlotzky’s.  

Operating Costs and Sales Figures

Of course, there are financial requirements that any prospective franchisees should be aware of. 

The initial franchise fee for opening a Jamba is $35,000, according to Entrepreneur. The initial investment will range from around $378,650 to $843,000, while there is a cash requirement of $120,000. For Veterans, there is a $15,500 discount on the franchise fee. 

Additionally, those applying for a single-unit agreement should have a credit score of 700+, liquid capital of $100,000 or more, and a net worth of over $300,000. Candidates applying for more than one unit are looked at on a case-by-case basis in terms of both professional background and skill sets.

Meanwhile, recent figures from the brand show that the average net sales for the fiscal year 2021 per location is $754,052 (calculated from 592 franchises in traditional locations and 747 total franchises in operation as of Dec. 31, 2021). 

Who Jamba is Looking For 

There are several traits that Focus Brands is looking for in a Jamba franchisee. First, they are looking for someone with a bit of experience. “You have some serious business acumen from years in an executive or operations role,” reads their franchise development page. 

They are also looking for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit. “Whether you’re a single-unit operator or an area developer, you’re hungry for growth,” they wrote. Passion is also key for franchisees. “You feel connected to our mission to bring better food to communities everywhere.”

Franchisee Training

When it comes to training, owners will go through 22 hours of classroom instruction and 90 hours of on-the-job training. Support is available for site selection, construction, operations, marketing, menus and more. 

The franchise also offers help with tracking and measuring store performance through data analysis, business reviews and other initiatives.

Franchise Opportunities

On the Jamba development page, the brand encourages those looking to invest to find their “perfect franchise pairing.” This can include: 

• Traditional
• Kiosk
• Nontraditional
• Dual Branding Opportunities
• Drive-Thru
• Inline

In addition, Jamba is recruiting master franchise owners for international expansion and in select U.S. states, as well as single and multi-unit franchisees. Master franchise agreements allow a franchise owner the right to become their own mini-franchisor, owning, developing, and operating several units within a specified territory, per Entrepreneur. Specifically, the brand is targeting the states of Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas for growth, as well as the District of Columbia.