Korean business group and franchisee SK USA has bought the brand’s parent company Louisiana-based Smoothie King.

Smoothie King Co-founders Steve and Cindy Kuhnau said they share great confidence in SK USA headed by Wan Kim for continued expansion.

SK USA took Smoothie King to Korea in 2003 with first store opened at Myeongdong in Seoul. The franchisee has grown the network to more than 100 in nearly 10 years.

“Smoothie King is a company with well over 20 years of aggressive growth ahead of it, both in the US and globally. We are making a long-term commitment to realise this potential,” said Kim.

More than 1000 new locations both in the US and internationally are planned by the end of 2017.

A new international location is already scheduled to open in Singapore by December. More new international locations across southeast Asia and China will follow beginning in 2013.

Steve Kuhnau will remain with the company and serve as a consultant and brand ambassador representing Smoothie King domestically and internationally as Smoothie King’s original founder and passionate advocate for health and wellness.

From its beginning in 1973, Smoothie King now has more than 600 outlets operating in the US, Caymans and Korea.

GB