Smoothie King Welcomes Gavin Felder as New President to Further Drive Growth and Innovation

Smoothie King Appoints Gavin Felder as New President

Smoothie King, a brand committed to promoting healthy and active lifestyles, has made a significant leadership change by appointing Gavin Felder as its new President. This strategic move not only enhances Felder's current responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer but also positions him to drive the company into a new era of growth and innovation.

Since joining Smoothie King in May 2024, Felder has played a crucial role in steering the brand towards financial stability and strategic expansion. His contributions have helped solidify Smoothie King’s performance in an increasingly competitive market. As President, Felder will maintain his oversight of the financial strategy while taking on additional responsibilities in the daily management of the company.

Owner and CEO Wan Kim praised Felder’s leadership qualities, stating, "Gavin is a dynamic and visionary leader with a strong track record of driving results and building high-performing teams." This affirmation reflects the substantial impact Felder has made during his tenure, signalling that his transition to President is a natural progression as Smoothie King continues to build upon its past successes.

In his inaugural statement as President, Felder expressed excitement about leading Smoothie King into its next chapter, highlighting the brand's potential to dominate its category. He noted, “Smoothie King literally has all the ingredients to be the defining brand of our category, with the tastiest products backed by our Clean Blends promise and a truly unrivaled guest experience, all anchored by our inspiring mission and dynamic culture.” Felder's vision aligns with Smoothie King's commitment to enhance customer experiences and improve product offerings, reinforcing their Clean Blends initiative.

Prior to his arrival at Smoothie King, Felder amassed over 20 years of experience in global leadership, particularly in strategy and finance. His past roles at Yum! Brands, including Chief Strategy Officer and CFO of KFC Global, equipped him with extensive knowledge in brand development and franchise operations, making him an invaluable asset for Smoothie King. During his time at Yum! Brands, he effectively managed operations that spanned 140 countries and involved significant profit margins.

Smoothie King has been experiencing robust growth, as evidenced by its Q1 2025 business report, which showcased the opening of 13 new stores across eight states, reflecting the company’s successful expansion strategy. Furthermore, the brand is also refining its guest experience and expanding its product lineup; this includes the launch of their new Hydration category, featuring refreshing smoothies made with clean, functional ingredients and no artificial additives. Such innovations indicate Smoothie King's dedication to providing quality products while maintaining its focus on health and wellness.

Founded in 1973, Smoothie King has emerged as the original U.S. smoothie franchise and currently boasts over 1,200 stores nationwide. The brand has garnered numerous accolades and recognitions as a top franchise opportunity, including rankings in Entrepreneur’s Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owners and QSR Magazine’s Best Restaurant Franchising Deals.

As Smoothie King embarks on this exciting chapter with Felder at the helm, there is palpable optimism within the company regarding future growth, innovation, and the commitment to its mission of inspiring healthier lifestyles through clean, delicious smoothies.

For additional information about Smoothie King and its initiatives, please visit Smoothie King.