Emerald City Smoothie, a Seattle company, said it expects to open four or five franchised locations in the Reno-Tahoe market during the next three years.
The company, which bills its product as "meal-replacement smoothies," plans to add 300 stores by the end of 2010. Currently, 47 are open and another 50 are under development.
Jim Baskett, vice president of business development, said Emerald City Smoothie locations run about 1,000 to 1,200 square feet and sell nutritional products in addition to smoothies. Locations commonly are close to fitness centers or a college campus.
"It's similar to a Starbucks atmosphere," Baskett said.
The company estimates start-up costs at approximately $250,000 per store, a figure that includes a $30,000 franchise fee and $30,000 in working capital.
"We like to attach ourselves to investors who want to own more than one store," he said.
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