Smoothie bars are all the rage and have been for a few decades. They are a convenient way to get a cool drink and a serving of fruit and veggies. Popular places to have one is near a health club or in malls or on the beach. There are several different types of equipment you’ll need to start up your smoothie bar. This is a guide along with some recommendations to help you get started.
Blenders
A blender is pretty much top priority when it comes to smoothies (other than the ingredients). The type of blender you get depends on the projected output of smoothies per day. If you’re expecting less than 100 smoothies a day, then you’re not going to need to invest in a high powered blender that can produce 300 smoothies a day. Consider how many blenders you’re going to need. At high volume times, it could be beneficial to have more than one to make the process go more efficiently
Juicers
Another piece of equipment you will need is a juicer for citrus fruits. There are electric and manual juicers, so before you invest, take time to learn the differences between them. An electric juicer will juice fruits quicker but might not be your preferred quality. Manual juicers require some arm power from you in order to press the juice out. Many people swear that the manual juicer gets the best quality juice, but others prefer the electric. It just comes down to efficiency and personal preference.
Refrigerator
The size of the refrigerator depends on how much fruit you’re needing to store. If you’re using fresh fruit, be sure to get one with plenty of storage, whether it be an undercounter refrigerator for small operations, or a walk-in one for large smoothie bars. Make sure there is space so the fruits don’t become bruised. If you’re using frozen fruits, you’re going to need a freezer, again depending on the size of your operation. Typically, if you are buying frozen fruit, you would be buying in large quantities, so keep that in mind when purchasing your freezer.
Ice Machine
Getting the right ice machine with the right type of ice can make you’re smoothies all the more enjoyable. Flaked or crushed ice is the best because it keeps the smoothie frosty without melting too quickly and it breaks down much easier than cubes. Make sure you keep an ice machine in mind when you go over your budget. You need to get one that will produce enough ice for you to have a steady supply throughout the business day.
Glass Washers and Food Wells
If you have a high volume operation, having efficient glass washers will help get your glasses clean and increase output time, that is, if you are using glasses and not disposable cups. Cold food wells might also be something you are interested in if you wish to keep main ingredients easily accessible on the counter.
Big or small, your smoothie bar is sure to be successful year round if you have the right tools to maintain customer satisfaction.
