Business Aug. 14, 2011 - 06:40AM JST ( 5 )

TOKYO —

Premium, whole-fruit smoothie retailer Robeks opened its first Asian store Friday in the fashionable Jiyugaoka section of Tokyo. The modern two-story, 2,000-square-foot store features a cafe-style interior with seating for 70 guests and Wi-Fi, making it a destination where customers can linger and socialize. Company officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony where customers received a free environmentally-friendly shopping bag.

While juice bars are common in Japan, Robeks is the first major American smoothie chain to open in that country offering premium, California-style smoothies. Panoramic paintings of Venice Beach and urban Los Angeles are part of the aged-wood and steel design motif.

The Tokyo store will offer many of Robeks famous, made-to-order premium fruit smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices that are popular in the United States, along with several health-food products and drinks enjoyed in the Japanese culture.

Robeks expansion into Asia was developed through a partnership with the Clarence Corporation, a Japanese company specializing in importing and distributing health-food products. Robeks CEO Steve Davidson, and Clarence Corporate President Masahiro Koh, signed a multi-year master franchise agreement in August, 2010 that includes plans to open 500 smoothie stores in a dozen Asian countries, including 300 in Japan. With the flagship store now operating in Tokyo, a rapid expansion of Robeks stores is anticipated.

Davidson said “Tokyo is the gateway to Asia. The Japanese people are very discerning, educated consumers, and expect the highest quality when they make a purchase. As such, Japan is the ideal market for Robeks. Our smoothies are consistently rated by our customers as the best tasting and the most nutritious of the brands currently available to them in the United States.”

PR Newswire