Starting a smoothie subscription business

[Robert Lane]

Hi there, im after a real analysis on whether this business idea sounds viable. So i thought about starting a smoothie business whereby all the ingredients are nathural and have no artificial flavours or colouring and all that jazz, just fruit and water. However i would like to throw in options of having protein shakes and thinks like that. I plan to setup a website where the customer could select what smoothies they want for Mon-Fri 1 every day in the working week, they then process the order and pay monthly for a subscription fee. The smoothies they choose would be delivered on the monday and shall be in freezable bags. In terms of giving the customer a container to use to pour the smoothie into, this would be delivered with the first order. This means the consumer can freeze the other smoothies, making sure they dont have to drink all the smoothies in a short period. I havent done much market research on any of this so please appreciate that. I believe i'd generate custom due to a competitive price and simplistic website, none of this fancy rubbish, just good honest smoothies that are quick and easy to order. Keeping the whole transaction user friendly. I have thought about supplying gyms and sports shops with my product which could also be a big hit. Please let me know what you think.

 

[ethical PR]

No -one can tell you whether your business idea is viable based on the information you have provided.

You say a simple website and competitive price will be enough to get you business. Really? How will your potential customers know you exist.

1. You haven't carried out any market research
2. You have no financial forecasts/budget
3. A fatal flaw in your plan - where will you deliver these smoothies to on a Monday? How many people are allowed workplace deliveries and have the facilities to freeze their smoothies at work
4. People at home who want a smoothie can make their own in minutes.

....back to the drawing board for you young grasshopper.

 

[fisicx]

How are you going to deliver? Are you going to drive round to all your customers before 7am so they can freeze the smoothie before going to work?

And when I get home from work on Monday I've got to wash up the container, get the smoothie out the freezer, wait for it to thaw out, gloop it into the container and dispose of the bag. That's a lot of faffing about. Just give me 5 containers I can put in the fridge. I return the containers on Monday in exchange for 5 new.

How are you going to market the service? What incentive is there for me to change the way I do things now and move to your products?

Have you applied for the license to do this in your home? Have you costed all the equipment you will need (including the van and insurance)? Have you sourced the ingredients? Have you done the sums to see if it's viable?

If it works then that's great. In my local town there was smoothie place when you could pre-order and pick up. It lasted less than 6 months. You might be more lucky.

 

[Robert Lane]

Thanks for the replys. Another flaw i have thought of is that, what if the consumers wasnt at home ready for the delivery? The delivery would have to be returned to myself so i could keep it frozen. Hmm this idea seems to be running away from me a little.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

In our region it looks like the craze for smoothies has past with any outlets closing down

What happens if say everyone buys them on Sunday for Monday delivery?

Would people want to wait around for a smoothie to de-freeze

Sorry I would not think it a long term company