Expanding beyond its Midwestern roots, Beyond Juicery + Eatery locations are coming to the Naples area.
The health-focused, fast-casual dining concept creates fresh raw juices, smoothies, wraps, salads, wellness shots and bottled juices. The Naples locations will be the first in Florida for Beyond Juicery, founded in metropolitan Detroit in 2005 with nearly 40 locations clustered in the Detroit and Cleveland areas.
Specific locations in Southwest Florida cannot be disclosed yet until agreements are signed and accepted, said franchisee Steve LaFontaine, who plans two locations for Beyond Juicery in the Naples area. “We have not executed a lease yet though I am working on one,” he emailed. “Both will be in Naples somewhere.”
Because the state of Florida is a prime growth market for Beyond, these first two Naples locations will be the catalyst for the brand’s continued development, said Mijo Alanis, co-founder of Beyond Juicery + Eatery. “This momentous signed agreement to expand our brand beyond the Midwest is such an exciting milestone,” Alanis is quoted in a news release, noting that LaFontaine’s 30 years on Wall Street and financial knowledge make him the right person to help grow the lifestyle dining concept to a new market.
“Through decades of experience, I’m very familiar with the operational and brand support needed to make a business successful, and it was clear from the start Beyond Juicery + Eatery had that and more,” LaFontaine said. “Behind every growing brand is a passionate founder. Mijo was one that stuck out among the rest, as his continued involvement with franchisees and dedication to reinforcing the values established during Beyond’s inception, drove the brand towards impressive new heights.”
LaFontaine was instantly impressed by the brand’s intense fan base, multifaceted menu and the established business model which catapulted the food-and-beverage business to one of the nation’s fastest-growing fast-casual brands. Beyond Juicery started franchising in 2019 and made Entrepreneur’s list of top new and emerging franchises. The brand is seeking operators to expand and develop the concept across the country.
“It’s clear Beyond is on the heels of an explosive growth era and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” LaFontaine said. “The brand’s fresh, healthy products and sleek restaurant design will no doubt be the perfect addition to the Naples restaurant scene.”
Beyond’s menu features a variety of made-to-order juices, smoothies, wraps, sorbet bowls and salads. New items include a chicken Caesar salad wrap, frozen lemonade and a Boba Blue Bowl made with coconut blue sorbet, strawberry boba, honey gluten-free granola and fresh kiwi, banana and strawberries.
