Smoothie King was founded in 1973 in Kenner, Louisiana, by Steve Kuhnau. While working at an ice cream shop, Kuhnau discovered he was unable to enjoy the milk shakes and other treats because he was lactose intolerant. This inspired him to create similar items using fruit juice and frozen fruit that anyone could enjoy.
Today, the company has more than 600 franchised locations. Kuhnau sold the business to current CEO Wan Kim and Standard Chartered bank. Smoothie King has been named the #1 franchise by Entrepreneur magazine more than 17 times since it began operations.
Smoothie King had annual revenue in 2014 of $160 million. The company began international franchising with the first location opening in South Korea in 2003.
Smoothie KingSmoothie King was founded in 1973 in Kenner, Louisiana, by Steve Kuhnau. While working at an ice cream shop, Kuhnau discovered he was unable to enjoy the milk shakes and other treats because he was lactose intolerant. This inspired him to create similar items using fruit juice and frozen fruit that anyone could enjoy.
Today, the company has more than 600 franchised locations. Kuhnau sold the business to current CEO Wan Kim and Standard Chartered bank. Smoothie King has been named the #1 franchise by Entrepreneur magazine more than 17 times since it began operations.
Smoothie King had annual revenue in 2014 of $160 million. The company began international franchising with the first location opening in South Korea in 2003.
FORMER EMPLOYEE of locations 1483 and 0184 in Woodstock, Ga.
I was the former shift manager for both locations. On Saturday, I got my period while driving to work on 12/17, and naturally had to leave because I had bled through my clothes. I work at an establishment that serves food, after all.. not very sanitary to be serving food with blood running down my leg and all.
So, I informed my employer, as soon as I realized it had happened. But, I was then asked to stay and continue working until I found a replacement to cover me. I used all of my resources and found no one to cover my shift. Both my manger and district manager, denied my requests to go home and clean myself up. So, after over an hour of serving customers like this. I informed them I was leaving and would be back, as soon as I was cleaned up. Less than 30 minutes after I left, I was told that they found a replacement and I did not need to come back for that shift.
Today, 12/20, I was informed over text that I was being fired. When I asked as to what the reason was, I was told my services were no longer needed. Then, upon further investigation, I was told that the reason to me being fired was because of an incident that happened almost 2 months ago. Which make’s absolutely no sense to me, because they will tell every one of the employees, that they are going to fire someone. Just to keep them on the schedule indefinitely. But, I leave work due to my period, and am subsequently fired days later, for an incident that happened 2 months ago??
I’d just like to understand how it is acceptable for an employee to be expected to work in their bloodied clothes, serving food, for hours. But is fired for making the right choice and leaving to clean themselves up, before returning back to work?
I had an incident the morning of Saturday February 15 at the following location:
465A South Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, MO 63122
(314) 821-4770
I was feeling completely fine that morning before I consumed your product. The employee at this store welcomes me and continues to tell me about how is morning is going. He was in his early 20’s and working alone in the store. He goes on to tell me he has been working 63 hours alone at this location. Also tells me that he is very tired. Then he tells me he can usually open the store and have it ready in about 5 minutes on a normal day. But that morning took him 20 minutes.
Within a hour or so, I began to get sick to my stomach. This lasted the entire day as I needed to take Pepto the whole day.
Now my concern is if he’s working alone that many days without help or supervision, how does anyone know that equipment is getting properly washed and he’s doing his job sanitary. I think I got food poisoning from this store! Its very alarming to me to wander how many other customers got sick that day from this store.
SMoothie KING @BWI is UNPROFESSIONAL As F****!!! Not only are ther grown men for employees there bullying the young FEMALE employess….but when the parents call I was tols by supervisor Antonio0 “I don’t have to take this call”….REALLY,,what professionalism
I go to smoothie King No. 0552 at least three times a week I order the same thing a large strawberry hulk that I pay $10 and some change form so say 30 $40 a week and I’m tired of my smoothies being good one day and sh*tty the next you’ll hire all these little young kids that don’t know their head from their a** ! It’s getting old !
Hello, I enjoy your product but I find it in poor taste to ask a customer to tip your employee for doing his job. The next time I want a smoothie I’ll probably just make it myself. I don’t believe in Social Justice Tipping.
I have a letter for the corporate, because it is not only the smoothie king in North Caroline it is also here in Meridian Mississippi.
My son quit after being screwed by your store located in Woodstock Ga. The manager first said they would reduce his pay to minimum wage for his last paychecks. We have yet to get any paychecks and the owner refuses to give any information as to why! As a corporation, this is BS! I can’t believe y’all have yet to step up and get my son his money! Yes, I’ve called corporate and yes the labor board but it’s under your name, franchise or not!
multidimensional16@ gmail.com
On Friday June 7th I purchased a banana boat smoothie with two scoops of pineapple from the location at 15819 Pines Blvd in Pembroke Pines Fl.
Upon arrival home, I started drinking the smoothie and it was horrible, it was not blended properly, as there were large chunks of ice and pieces of banana and pineapple.
I immediately called the store and got a message that said, if you are listening to this message, we are not taking phone orders on Friday, hope to see you at the store. I called a second time and got the same message.
I called another store with the hope that they had another number that I could call to connect with someone at the store. I explained my concern and the young lady kept telling me that I didn’t make the purchase at her location and there was nothing she could do to help me.
I then asked to speak with a manager and responded that she was the manager. I then asked if she had a number for the corporate office and she hung up on me. I then went online and got a number for customer service. I shared my concern, and the rep. put me on hold to contact corporate and we were accidentally disconnected, I was expecting a return call from him or the corporate but that did not happen. I know that he had my number because he confirmed it with me.
I am extremely disappointed with the level of service provided by Smoothie King. I at least would like to have a replacement smoothie. I was not able to return to the store to get a replacement. I hope that someone from corporate responds to this
After 2 recent incidents of blatant racial discrimination against members of the Charlotte Metro region of North Carolina I will NEVER support Smoothie King or be a customer of theirs. Smoothie King did fire the employees involved and then proceeded to close for a day of inclusive training, Its shameful that we have to teach others how to respect another person.
So, my wife ordered a discontinued smoothie. Mangosteen to be exact. Well, the genius behind the counter figured “it says Mango in the name, it must taste the same” and suggests it to my wife. She buys it and calls me. I told her to just exchange or return. The lady TESS at the Cheyenne Mountain Location in Colorado sits there and argues that she cannot do either one. So Satisfaction is NOT guaranteed is what I am now understanding. Great job smoothie king. She says this is CORPORATE protocol. Well done. Thumbs up. Roman style.
Could you hire two worse employees at the 27 S Pleasantburg Drive location in Greenville S.C? Nothing like paying over 7 dollars to get treated like you are a complete bother to these two and then to get a shake that was not good at all. I should have just went to GNC where I get treated like they actually appreciate my business! I’am really sorry these two actually have to show up and work, they obviously didn’t want to be there. Maybe relieve them of this hassle of a job so two people who will actually do their job can have a shot. I certainly will not go back to any Smoothie King.
I went to Smoothie King in Pickerington Ohio 900 State Route 204. I ordered a Smoothie on Friday February 22nd 2019 at about 5 p.m., I left and traveled home and by time I arrived home my smoothie taste was watered down. I went by the store to tell them of my dilemma the next day the manager told me I should have called the store the same day to Express my concerns. Please return my money because I realize you are not concerned about customers just profit. I spent $5.00
Hello,
We manufacture probiotic yogurt smoothie ingredients in Chantilly Virginia.
It is yogurt powder. 2 year shelf life. It instantly makes 3 billion(14 strains) probiotic yogurt smoothie with a blender.
I am hoping to connect with someone from purchasing department.
Looking forward to hear from you.
My son went to your store on Niforng Blvd in Columbia, MO on Friday 5/18 @ 12:46pm check #142. He requested a smoothine and he let them know he is allergic to coconut. When he got his shake he had pulled away and started drinking it and immediately went into an allergic reaction. He drives a commercial vehicle so this is even more of a problem. The girl that works there Kaylee Day, she knows my son personally and when I called to ask WHY coconut was in his drink she said oops must have made a mistake. She has the very same allergy as my son and is full aware of how sick it makes him. When I called both Columbia stores I was told it was “company policy” to just rinse the blenders out with WATER after use. This is crazy and very unclean. Every time those blenders are used they should be cleaned as if EVERY customer has allergies. Your policies are horrible at best. I have called the local health department and i will be calling state level and the attorney general’s office to report this. I am saddened that you do not take more caution when serving customer. And to top it off, Kaylee called her husband after my son left to tell him how sick it made him. How UN professional can one be. I will be letting everyone I talk to about Smoothie King policies and advising them to find somewhere else to go.
I want to smoothie king in Marion il 62959 and got an smooothie n this Brianna Nunley who work there pocke $40 smh i ain’t goin there no more
We have been trying to find out about sugar content in your smoothie’s for our diabetic teaching. Trying to send you new business. No one seems to know or care. Could you send me this information.
Smoothie king in Marion, Illinois refused service to anyone after 8:30 pm when they close at 9 pm. My friend and I attempted the drive thru at 8:34 pm and was ignored and just sat there for a few minutes so then we drove off and sat in the parking lot for a few minutes and watched as a few other people tried to go through the drive thru to order items. And then we heard someone from inside tell a customer through the drive thru “sorry we’re closed” My friend then called the store itself to ask what time they closed to see if there was a reason why they did this and the person who answered said “we close at 9 pm but start shutting everything down at 8:40”. And as we were sitting in the parking lot it was 8:38 and we saw an employee lock the doors when someone else pulled into the parking lot. After watching another person be ignored while trying to go through the drive thru. I attempted the drive thru again and waited until an employee said “sorry we’re closed” I then said “oh I thought you guys close at 9?” An employee said “we do but we start shutting everything down at 8:40” I then asked to speak to a manager and was ignored once again so then I just left because my friend and I had initially arrived their before 8:35 pm. I do understand wanting to get out as early as possible when closing a store because I too work at a fast food restaurant, but I found this behavior completely rude and I don’t believe any owner of an establishment would allow this behavior from employees.
wow petty af.
mad cause you couldnt get that slim and trim
I would like to inform you that the manager at the owner at the Prescott rd. store in Frisco Texas has taken the stance that he does not like not support the United States military..As a military mom,.I will not ,nor my family and friends support Smoothie King until this representative of your company offers an apology or is reprimanded. Please let him know we have educated ourselves. A post has gone viral on social media and will continue to be shared.
I experienced the same attitude with this owner. My younger brother who has been serving overseas is home to visit. We visit this store and received the worst reaction from a fellow American.
I just visited smoothie king here in Stockbridge GA
Store number 1432
Just got the worst service ever.
The store employee was very rude as well as her coworker.
I normally attend that store
But I WILL NOT GO BACK…..
Horrible service every time
I made a purchased today at about 8::10 am gave the clerk my phone to scan bar code.. s$he scan it , I notice on my receipt that the $2.00 haven’t been taken off. After asking why , I was told that’s it in an email, it has to be in your app. I told her it’s not in my app, her reply that’s the only way it can be used. I asked for a manager, no manager was there , ask to be refunded and I was.I talked to the other employee, he repeated what she said, I gave him my phone and he look through my phone and he said he didn’t know why I got the email and it wasn’t in my app. I said that’s not my fault how can I be compensated, I was told to contact Corp., then was asked do you still want the smoothie,, my reply::yes with the $2.00 off. After the back and forth was finally I was given the $2.00 discount. It’s the principle not the discount and the lack of quality customer service that’ I did not receive. It was very poor customer service when was clearly not any fault of mines that a discount coupon was only sent to my email and not my app., this matter needs to be looked into . The extent of time that it took for me to to get the discount at my suggestion not your employees is poor customer service. This happen at 8150 Mt Holly Huntersville Rd Unit C , Charlotte NC
I recently got fired from Smoothie King, The owner is Brad Sorg and his manager is Kim Wiley. It was unfair to me because my co-workers stole. One would steal about 3-4 smart waters from the retail fridge. He would steal chocolate covered nuts and etc. but never got a consequence. When I got hired I received no training, therefore I had to train myself. I trained myself on the POS system, I trained myself on rotating strawberries, I trained myself on cleaning the front of house. They say I got fired because they said customers found me intimidating, that I argued with a customer, when that was one job I did not. I also fell on the clock, reported to my manager but she never filed an incident report. Her and Brad looked at the camera but never proceeded to file a report. AS well as Kim’s sister who is not on payroll was behind the counter making smoothie 4th of July weekend. In no uniform and this was on woodlawn station if I am not mistaken in Charlotte, NC. As well if it wasn’t for my cleaning and OCD problem the stores Sanitation score wouldn’t be a 99.5, it would still be a 95 or below. This is store #337, N. Tryon. I was one of the three who cleaned, cleaned up behind themselves, one of the three who actually did their job. Wasn’t on their phone because there was a no phone policy for the front of house. I just feel I was treated unfairly because I did what I was told. Did what I was asked to do. I was asked to train a new employee and she took as me bullying her. When you cant learn how to do things without doing it hands on, let alone its a job. And if you don’t want to work then quit. But i will not be the only employee cleaning up behind grown people. I watched people steal from work, said not one thing, and Brad always watched the cameras but never fired them. I felt like a slave as I watched everyone else do nothing but be on their phones. Im just confused on how you say and tell me I’m your second best employee but then I get fired randomly. As well as me saying we were out of certain items at a certain time of night so we could be out of work by 930 or 940 like Brad wanted, and I was not the only person to say we were out of certain items. Let alone I didn’t work every night. Brad said that it was an every night thing, so it wasn’t only me. Most people get a warning or write up and I got neither. A co worker left us on $5 Friday and was talking on his phone, didn’t get fired, didn’t get written up. I bet if any corporate office person walked in smoothie king and watched those videos, you would see how hard I worked I was the only one to scrub walls, scrub floors,and clean the front house refrigerator. It just doesn’t make sense that I got fired but someone who steal from the company is still working there. Not caring about the cameras because him (Brandon Sloan) had a sexual relationship with the manager Kim Wiley. He (Brandon Sloan) also sexually harrassed every female co worker he has had, including me. And there is no sense in telling my manager because she wouldn’t take any action. I know for a fact she wouldn’t.
Please do not go to, or ever apply for a job at Smoothie King on Veterans and David Drive in Metairie. They offered my son a job, gave him a date to show up for training, quoted him his salary, and told him what he needed to go buy to wear to work. He showed up on his start date for training and was told he couldn’t stay because they did not have a uniform shirt to give him and all he could do was watch an hour long training video then would have to leave. He was told by the manager that he would be in touch with his work schedule. The next phone call was to inform my son that he would not be able to have the job after all because the person who resigned decided to stay, my son quit his job that he had on the promise of expected employment with smoothie king. And now he has nothing. I wish there was some kind of legal action that could be taken. This is truly unprofessional behavior on the part of this company. We will never set foot in a Smoothie King again!!
The smoothie king in Carle place NY has had a fly bug issue for a long time. The bugs are all over the store.
The Smoothie King on lawrenceville highway Ga. clearly shows on their door that they open at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning … This is the second time I’ve showed up at 10am and they’re still trying to get ready and open ….
I would like to speak to someone about my job
I worked at smoothie king 959 in McComb, MS, from February of 2014 to November of 2016. In June of 2016 the store swapped ownership from Mr. Garrick Robert to Ms. Rebecca Thees. I left Smoothie King in November for other career options. My name while working there was Stephanie Regan, I am recently married, hence the name change. The reason I am commenting here is because in January I recieved my W2 from Garrick via mail and was unaware I would be receiving another from Rebecca. I thought that my yearly wages would be in one W2 from both owners. That is not the case, however. I recently just found out from an employee at store 959 that I had a W2 at the store. The date was May 3rd that I found this out. I’m wanting to complain about the owner because by law she should have mailed me my W2 from her by January 31, considering I am no longer employed there and have not been since November 1st. Now I am having to do an amended tax return and pay my state taxes back because she did not have the decency to eother mail me my W2 or call me to let me know I had one. This is a huge inconvenience and I would like corporate to know about the fact that a franchise owner did not send a W2 out for one of their former employees.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me.
Thank you very much.
Stephanie Fleming
I wonder if Smoothie King Corporation stepped up to the plate and reimbursed this woman for her inconvinence of time and money!!
The owner of the new tampa smoothie king is very awful. He has cussed myself and others out and allows his employees to be disrespectful. No one wears a hat or hair net, it isn’t sanitary either. His name is Earl lanoue.
interesting how you say it’s not sanitary because I had blood stool & anal tissue coming out after drinking a smoothie. Earl started denying it was the smoothie
The manager by the name of Katrina,at least that’s what her name tag said has a nasty attitude towards me every time I come to that location. I use to date her son’s father years ago and she still can’t get over it. I just don’t like her disrespect when I order, I’m a paying customer too.
Please contact my cell: (404) 536-XXXXX ASAP about a racist incident that happen to me at the Smoothie King location at Fayetteville, GA. Thank you. I already left a voicemail as well.
My daughter is what is called a high functioning Autistic person. When Tori was hired Mona Edwards & Major Rolls new she was Autistic & did not drive a car (I take and pick her up) Also, Tori was hired for the Buffalo store NOT the Sahara store.
She worked at SK from 2/2016-1/2017 when she was fired because the owner Major J Rolls wanted her to go work at the W Sahara store all this week 3-10pm. Tori already had a schedule for the Buffalo Store for this week 1/15/17-1/20/17, but Major Rolls lost yet another employee due to the below minimum wage & verbal abuse! When I said no it is too far for me to drive at night it is 34 miles round trip & I am night blind! Tori relayed that to her manager Sally Washington, she said she would let Major Rolls know & she would call Tori back with her firm schedule. No call came so on Monday I told my daughter to ask Sally when she was supposed to work this week. This is the TEXT reply my daughter received from Sally Washington on Monday 16th, of January: YES SHE WAS FIRED IN A TEXT!!!
Tori: Hey Sally. Do you have any idea of the schedule I’ll have since I cannot go to Sahara?
Sally: Major Rolls told me to tell Tori she routinely failed to meet our standards despite being talked to about it numerous times. We could not keep you at 925 with all the issues but gave you an option to continue working at 1067 but you refused to go. So i was instructed to terminate your employment..
You can return your shirts . and i will have jenn bring me your last check
Thank you.
Sally: Also dont forget tori.. 24 hrs to bring back the store key..ok thank you honey
Toris phone text that “I wrote back:”
As the Mom of a special needs child I am applauded at the lack of fair leadership from the owner & management of this Smoothie King!
I will be calling the labor board in the morning to report Smoothie King for not paying a fair minimum wage & give them pay check stubs from several fired employees (they all have money owed to them too!).
I will also give copies of the paycheck to the corporate Headquarters in Metairie, La
Oh and the tips that where pocketed…..
I wanted to do this months ago but Tori loved working there & was afraid. As you can imagine I am very good at defending my daughter since she is unable to do that for herself!! I will have all of SK’s items returned tomorrow by 3pm
Shame, shame on you Major Jennifer Rolls!
Sally: Please direct / refer any and all other contact to smoothie king direct phone .
As this is my personal phone thank you
Tori’s msg I wrote back:
I am sorry.
I assumed since you fired Tori in this text it would be appropriate for me to respond to it in kind. Will not happen again. Tina
(End of text msg’s)
If Tori routinely failed to meet their standards why did Major J Rolls elevate Tori to a Lead & had HER training all the new employee’s & gave her a key to the store??? This was not Tori’s idea. In fact she did not want to do it, but Major Rolls said she had to!
When I drove Tori to SK at 2:45pm on 1/16/17, I filmed her putting the key in the front door lock and locking and open the door. I also filmed Rhian, & Monique as Tori returned all shirts & Her badge, & key. This way no one could say it was the wrong key and deducted 160.00 from her final check. This way Tori has witnesses on film.
Neither Sally Washington or Major J Rolls were there to take Tori’s items, and give Tori her final check. As of today 1/19/2017 Tori has still not been paid!
I want Smoothie King’s HQ to know what this Franchise owner is doing! As it does not reflect positively on the Smoothie King Brand.
As I wrote Sally in the text I have filed a complaint with the Department of Labor & the ADA EEOC. Other employee’s are doing the same so that they can get the money that should have been in their paychecks originally!
Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing back from you,
M Tina Scott
e-mail: mtinascott at yahoo.com
I have no complaints, as a smoothie king customer I just want to be able to share something with corporate to further enhance the well being of your customers and help further the success of smoothie king franchises by inviting them to this product. Please watch this video and get back to me. massiveresults.org
I LOVE smoothie king
Dear Sir:
I am Walter Jagers, employee number 00000031. Will you please assist me in receiving my last paychecks from Smoothie King 959, located at 1611 Delaware Ave, McComb, Ms 36948. I was an employee at this location until May 13, 2016.
I have attempted to contact the owner, Garrett at 985 327-9032 on numerous occasions but he will not answer my calls or return my calls to advise where my checks are and when I will receive them.
On June 18, 2016, I contacted the manager of the store while employed there, named Stephanie and was given the run around. She stated my checks were sent to the store. and by law she was suppose to mail them to me at the address in my file. However, she stated she did not know whether the address in my file was correct. Even, though all paperwork was completed prior to hiring. Instead, she placed my checks in a folder in the office. When the business was sold to New Owner, Rebecca, Garret took the folder with my checks in the folder. She is unable to contact him and no one has contacted me to pay for my hours worked at Smoothie King which is illegal.
I spoke to Rebecca the new owner. She has not done anything to get checks either. She has stated since June 18, 2016, that they are working on the issue. She stated she will call payroll, get the amount of my earnings and have checks reissued. That has been over three weeks. How difficult is that if when you are continually paying current employees? I feel that nothing is being done to get my last wages earned from Garret, Stephanie or Rebecca. Please contact me directly at 216 544 8881 to advise when I will receive checks for last wages earned by Friday, July 15, 2016. Thank you.
I will await your response. What the owner has done is illegal and I would like to receive wages earned. Thanks
Walter Isaiah Jagers 216 544 XXXXX