Bonnie Mulligan

Most of us understand how important it is to maintain a healthy diet. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines state that consuming at least 2.5 cups of fruits and veggies per day comes with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease — and that’s only one benefit of eating right. Research has also found that Americans actually want to eat healthier — and that they’ll even pay more for it. In fact, Nielsen’s 2015 Global Health and Wellness Survey found that 88% of the 30,000 participants polled said they’d be willing to pay a higher cost for healthier foods. That means that opening a juice bar or adding fruit smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices to your existing restaurant menu may really pay off.

But before you forge ahead with your plan to start offering delicious smoothies, you’ll need to obtain the right smoothie bar equipment. This list should help you figure out your ideal smoothie setup and fulfill every customer’s order with ease.

Essential Smoothie Bar Equipment For Your Business:

  • Commercial Blenders
    To be successful here, you can’t rely on blenders you bring in from home. You’ll need commercial blenders and immersion blenders that you can use all day long. Look for commercial blenders with a full warranty, durable design, and noise-reduction features. These blenders are among the most important pieces of smoothie bar equipment you’ll use, so don’t be tempted to cheap out here. Make sure you invest in enough pieces that you can still operate when some need to be cleaned or repaired.
  • Commercial Fruit Juicers
    In addition to your blenders, you’ll also need professional juicers to make smoothies and even juice blends, depending on what you want to offer on your menu. You can use this equipment to pre-juice certain ingredients. You may also want to consider investing in a sugarcane juicer for when you want to add in natural sweetness or even a commercial wheatgrass juicer for some unique beverage options. You’ll want juicers that provide a high juice yield and repair support as needed.
  • Ice Machines
    To make smoothies, you’ll need an abundance of ice. Ideally, you’ll want flaked ice, rather than cubed (though it is possible to use the latter if needed). Look for high-production ice machines that can provide fresh supplies of the frozen stuff all day long, like the Ceado V90 Commercial Ice Crusher. You cannot afford to run out of ice during the daily rush; it’s a vital element to your menu items, so make sure there’s enough room in the budget for a top-of-the-line product.
  • Refrigerators and Coolers
    If you plan to offer smoothies and juices, you’ll need to ensure your ingredients stay fresh and are easily accessible. Many businesses find that having under-counter refrigeration in the prep section allows for faster service. You’ll also need a walk-in cooler or large fridge to keep produce and pre-juiced ingredients fresh. The size of your establishment and the volume of customers you serve can help you decide whether you need additional refrigeration.
  • Sinks
    You’ll likely need a couple of different sinks to ensure operations run smoothly. A larger sink is often necessary to clean all of your smoothie bar equipment with ease throughout the day. You may also need a prep sink and a hand sink located in the actual work areas to ensure employees can practice proper cleaning methods. If you don’t have enough sink space, you’ll probably experience a lot of service delays.
  • Prep Tools
    Of course, if you plan on using fresh ingredients to make your smoothies and juices, you’ll need the right tools for the job. High-quality, sharp knives of various sizes are a must, as are peelers, cutting boards, measuring cups, and portion scales. Make sure your employees have everything they need to make the best product available.

If you want your establishment to please the masses with your fresh beverages, you’ll need to make sure you’re properly equipped. Ready to get started on choosing your commercial juicers? We’re here to help. Contact us today at Juicernet for more info.