Juice Bar Essentials: Vision, Supply and Healthy Menu Options

Fruits and vegetables are nature’s gift that keeps on giving. They come with a wide range of health benefits and should be a staple in everyone’s diet. However, we don’t always have the time and energy to consume fruits as they are, so we turn to juices.  

Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables is a convenient way to extract and enjoy their diverse flavors and nutrients, combine them in surprisingly delicious ways and make them a part of our day-to-day diet.  

The most enjoyable part of it all is becoming the creator by combining fruits and juices and creating new flavors, while at the same time enjoying the benefits of all fruits included in the juice.  

If you have a passion for healthy living, opening a juice bar might be a worthwhile idea. The appeal of health-conscious living is now higher than ever, with many people seeking products that are healthy and eco-friendly. Given the circumstances, this might be the perfect time to venture into the juice bar industry. 

If you already own and operate this type of venue, it’s important to get to know the market. On the other hand, if you plan to expand your restaurant or cafe menu to include fresh-squeezed fruit juices made in house, you need to learn about and/ or anticipate your customers’ needs. 

In either case, it’s worth keeping in mind that just like in every other industry, trends come and go. What may be at the top of your customers’ preferences today might be gone and replaced by next month or year.  You will need to adapt as you go and pay close attention to all the essential developments in the industry. 

READY…

With a juice bar, there are several avenues you can explore. You can either opt for a classic standalone juice bar (static or mobile), a smoothie shop or a café-style bar that also serves food and caffeinated beverages. Of course, you can also combine several types and create a unique concept for your bar.  

Based on your choice, you will need to market your business so that it reflects the nature of your brand, and what the customers should expect when they visit your venue. Your juice bar menu will act as your business card, letting people know what you’re offering.  

How profitable are juice bars?

Juice bars can be quite profitable, more so than other food or drink-serving venues. That’s because they require less equipment, staff and maintenance. The average revenue of a juice bar can be anywhere between 50% and 70% profit margins, ranging from $100,000 to $600,000.  

SET…

Once you’ve taken care of the business side of things, obtained all the necessary permits and licenses and set up the location for your juice bar, it’s time to consider equipment and supplies. 

Your juice or smoothie bar equipment will typically include juicers and blenders, as well as refrigeration units for storing produce, bottled juices, syrups and the like. You’ll also most likely need an ice machine for your iced blends. 

When it comes to supplies, you should always stock up on plenty of disposables like cups, straws, etc. But the most important supplies for your juice bar are fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Choose wholesale produce for your juice bar  

The best way to go about supplying your juice bar is by collaborating with local wholesalers that provide fresh seasonal produce. Depending on your needs, you can choose between suppliers that offer a limited, specialized range of products, or those who cover a wide selection. You might also find it useful to connect with wholesale produce suppliers that offer specialty produce like tropical fruits. 

Benefits of buying wholesale produce 

For a juice bar of any kind, buying produce from local wholesalers is a smart move for a number of reasons. First off, buying in bulk helps lighten the load on your expenses, so you will save money while still getting the necessary amount of fresh produce. 

Second, choosing to buy your fruits and vegetables from wholesalers will ensure that you get top-quality fresh produce from a trust source every time. Navigating the ebbs and flows of produce seasonality is a lot easier when you have a reliable, experienced partner on your side. 

Where do I buy wholesale produce? 

If you require a steady supply of wholesale fresh fruits and vegetables for juice bar business, Valley View Produce can be your trusted partner. Feel free to check out our selection of fresh, locally sourced produce and place your order. 

Consider frozen alternatives  

When buying certain fresh fruits and vegetables is by no means an option, due to short supply, high costs or other issues, frozen produce is the next best thing. With a longer shelf life and similar nutritional profiles to their fresh counterparts, frozen fruits and veggies offer a wide range of possibilities for smoothies and healthy bowls. 

… JUICE! 

For your juice or smoothie bar, you should definitely capitalize on the massive appeal of healthy living and wellness, by offering a wide variety of healthy options to your customers. Besides the classic fresh-squeezed juices, you can also include protein shakes or vitamin-packed juice shots. 

Particularly in the warm months, people become more interested in cleansing or detoxing through healthy juices, so it would be a good idea to tap into these trends and offer such menu items as part of your selection.  

Meeting your customers’ needs is great. Learning enough about their preferences so you can anticipate their needs or cravings is even better. Giving people what they want is a sure-shot way to create brand loyalty and ensure that in time, your healthy juices will become a part of their daily routine. 

Best fruits and veggies for juices or smoothies  

Fruits 

• Watermelons – extremely refreshing, ideal for juicing due to their sweet flavor, water content and added health benefits. 

• Pineapples – one of the go-to fruits for juices due to their remarkable sweet flavor and bright color, these tropical fruits are extremely versatile and mix well with citrus fruits, cranberries and cherries.  
• Oranges – energy boosting properties and delicious, sweet taste. Out of the orange varieties available in the world, the Valencia variety is favored for its juiciness.  
• Apples – some of the most cultivated and consumed fruits in the whole world.  The most popular choices for juicing are green apples (especially the Granny Smith variety), as well as red apples like Gala and Golden Delicious. 
• Pomegranates – when juiced, these exotic fruits offer exciting complex flavors ranging from tart to sweet and earthy. 

Veggies 

• Cucumber – high in water and boasting a refreshing flavor, cucumbers are a popular choice for juice and smoothies alike. 
• Carrots – a colorful addition to any healthy juice (and a popular choice among kids), the subtle sweet taste of carrots pairs well with citrus and beets. 
• Kale – one of the most sought-after healthy greens, kale is considered a superfood and a central ingredient in many smoothies, healthy bowls and salads. 
• Beets – vibrant-colored and packed with nutrients, beets add a pleasant earthy flavor to juice mixes or smoothies 
• Spinach – juice made from spinach is a popular choice thanks to its fresh flavor. This leafy green pairs excellently with strawberries and apples.  

When it comes to healthy juices, the sky is the limit. Operating a juice or smoothie bar business is no easy feat, but with the help of fresh produce wholesalers and a clear understanding of your target consumers’ needs, it can be a real success story. 

The interest in health-conscious food and drinks and plant-based products is not likely to fade any time soon. Neither is the supply of fruits and vegetables likely to dry up. On the contrary, the current setting is perfectly suited for a flourishing juice bar business.