Private-equity firm pours funds into Smoothie King franchise.
Smoothie King Secures Minority Investment from Main Post Partners
Smoothie King, the popular smoothie chain founded in Dallas in 1973, has received a minority investment from the private-equity firm Main Post Partners. This investment, announced in August 2025, aims to position Smoothie King for accelerated growth.
Over the past decade, Smoothie King has tripled in size worldwide, with nearly 1,500 shops. The investment from Main Post Partners, a firm with experience in consumer brands and restaurant chains, is a strategic move to support Smoothie King's vision of promoting healthy habits and long-term growth. The specific terms and size of this investment were not publicly disclosed.
Jeff Mills, managing partner of Main Post Partners, expressed admiration for the strength of the Smoothie King brand, the quality of their product offerings, and their commitment to the guest experience. He referred to the investment as "a powerful alignment of vision and capability."
Smoothie King's system sales last year grew 5.2% to $812 million. About 1,200 of these shops are in the U.S., where system sales were $763.2 million last year.
Meanwhile, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, another high-growth smoothie chain, has not announced any recent private-equity investments. Last year, Tropical Smoothie Cafe was sold to Blackstone for $2 billion.
The quick-service smoothie restaurant sector has been a hot commodity among private-equity groups, fueling numerous deals. In addition to the Smoothie King investment, Blackstone also acquired the sandwich chain Jersey Mike's.
This investment by Main Post Partners marks a deepening of their involvement in the fast-casual restaurant sector. While Tropical Smoothie Cafe has not announced comparable private equity activity recently, the smoothie market continues to be a dynamic and competitive space.
| Chain | Private Equity Investor | Investment Details | Date | |-------------------|------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------| | Smoothie King | Main Post Partners | Minority stake, terms undisclosed | August 2025| | Tropical Smoothie Cafe | No recent private equity investments reported | N/A | N/A |
[1] Smoothie King press release
[2] Main Post Partners press release
