Emerald City Smoothie Opens First Environmentally Friendly Location in Mexico

SEATTLE, WA, March 12, 2011 (Press-News.org) With more than 60 locations operating across the United States, Emerald City Smoothie has spent the past 15 years helping consumers live healthier lifestyles. Best known for their uniquely blended smoothies, the company has announced it will be opening its second international location in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.

Emerald City Smoothie has awarded the first franchise location in Mexico to Gene Hensley and Ben Salomon. As a long time customer of Emerald City Smoothie, Gene brings with him over 20 years of experience in the global travel and tourism industry where he was the Executive Vice President of Trendwest Resorts and the President of Worldmark Board of Directors.

"Our success over the 15 years has provided us with the opportunity to take our concept outside of the United States. We are thrilled to have both Gene and Ben on board to open our first location in Mexico as Gene has been a long time partner with Emerald City Smoothie," said Al Schriber, Member Manager of Emerald City Smoothie. "Their entrepreneurial backgrounds and passion for the brand make us confident that they will be successful in building a strong presence for Emerald City Smoothie in Mexico."

Additionally, the 400 square foot location will be environmentally friendly and will feature a rooftop garden that will be utilized for energy conservation. With solar panels, the garden will assist in maintaining the temperature and will help create insulation. To assist in watering the indigenous plants that will be grown in the garden, water from the store will be re-directed to the garden instead of the gutters.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to open our first location in Mexico and introduce a brand that focuses on promoting active lifestyles to the local community, said Gene Hensley, local owner of the San Jose del Cabo store. "Our Emerald City Smoothie store will also give us the ability to reach out to tourists, many of which who visit San Jose del Cabo are from the Western half of the United States, where Emerald City Smoothie already has a strong presence."

Emerald City Smoothie is dedicated to helping consumer's lead healthier lifestyles by providing healthy alternatives to fast food and offering nutritional smoothies without compromising on taste. Each Emerald City Smoothie recipe uses fresh fruit, high quality proteins and nutritional supplement and is designed to help reach a health or lifestyle goal, from boosting immune systems and giving energy, to losing weight and building muscle.

"Our store in Mexico will present customers with the ability to choose from over 40 different kinds of fresh smoothies along with on-the-go meal alternatives and nutritional supplements," said Hensley. "In a community that focuses on maintaining active lifestyles, we will be able to help consumers reinforced an exercise regimen or health goals."

To celebrate the opening of the new store, Emerald City Smoothie will be hosting a grand opening party in the parking lot of their shopping center. The event will include a local band and proceeds from the food and drink sold during the party will be donated to Casa Hogar, an orphanage that provides shelter for over 40 boys, and Amigos de los niños, a non-profit organization that provides pediatric services and prenatal care for mothers at no cost.

For franchising information, please visit http://www.emeraldcitysmoothie.com or call (206) 230-5556.

About Emerald City Smoothie
Emerald City Smoothie is a Seattle-based franchise best known for their uniquely blended smoothies that combine fresh fruit, intense flavors and nutritional boosters. Since their launch in 1996, the company has taken steps to ensure that every location provides the same taste, quality, friendly and knowledgeable service for all their customers. Whether looking to lose weight, build muscle, or just picking up a nutritious meal replacement, each smoothie is designed to reach a health goal or a taste sensation. Today, the company boasts more than 60 locations in seven states and plans to have more than 100 operating stores by the end of 2015. For more information on Emerald City Smoothie, visit http://www.emeraldcitysmoothie.com.