Booster Juice boasts healthy sales growth

EDMONTON - Booster Juice is savouring a boom year, with same-store sales up 20 per cent from 2006.

In the fast food industry, four to six per cent is more typical, president Dale Wishewan said, Friday. "I'm always an optimist but I did not expect 20 per cent. I was anticipating an eight- to nine-per-cent increase after 18 per cent in 2006."

Wishewan attributed the surprising rise to "passionate franchise partners and great brand awareness from coast to coast." He also cited the growing popularity of healthy eating and media attention to child obesity.

Beyond its same-store sales increases, the eight-year-old chain continues to aggressively sell franchises in new locations. Only two outlets, in Toronto, are corporate-owned.

Canada next year will grow by 40 stores, Wishewan said. "I'm certain that we'll be in Japan and Ireland in 2008, and there's a very good chance that we'll be in Greece."

Booster Juice has one outlet in Dubai and four in Saudi Arabia. "We have had to adjust the menu for differences in taste," Wishewan said.

Booster Juice has 23 franchise locations in the United States where, he said, the company faces greater competition.

The privately held company has no bank debt, Wishewan said, and no need to raise capital through an initial public offering of tradeable shares.

rchalmers@thejournal.canwest.com

© The Edmonton Journal 2007