Wan Kim is the CEO & Chairman of Smoothie King, the Dallas-based health and fitness smoothie franchise with over 1,200 locations nationwide. Born in South Korea, Kim first discovered Smoothie King as a customer, became its first-ever international franchisee in 2003, and ultimately acquired the entire company from its founders in 2012. Under his ownership, Smoothie King has grown from approximately 300 locations to over 1,200, generating an estimated $800+ million in annual system-wide revenue. Kim appeared on CBS’s Undercover Boss in 2020 and has expanded into the restaurant world with Nuri Steakhouse, JOA Grill, and the fast-casual Flock & Fresh concept.
Read on to learn about Smoothie King CEO Wan Kim’s net worth in 2026, salary, email address, age, career history, education, family, and more.
Quick Facts
| Wan Kim — Key Information | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Wan Kim |
| Age | 53 years old (born c. 1972, South Korea) |
| Position | CEO & Chairman, Smoothie King |
| Tenure | 2012 – present (acquired & became CEO) |
| Education | B.S. International Management, Boston University; MBA, UC Irvine (Paul Merage School of Business) |
| Net Worth (Est.) | $50–70 million |
| Compensation | Not disclosed (private company) |
| Headquarters | Coppell, Texas (relocated from New Orleans in 2018) |
| Email Domain | @smoothieking.com |
Career Highlights
- First International Franchisee: Opened the first Smoothie King franchise outside the U.S. in South Korea in 2003, growing it to 130+ locations by 2012
- Acquired Smoothie King (2012): Purchased the entire company from founders Steve & Cindy Kuhnau, backed by $58 million in growth capital from Standard Chartered Private Equity and Korea’s National Pension Fund
- 4x Growth: Expanded the chain from ~300 locations to over 1,200 under his ownership
- Smoothie King Center: Secured the naming rights deal for the New Orleans Pelicans’ NBA arena
- CBS Undercover Boss (2020): Featured on the Emmy Award-winning show, going undercover at five Smoothie King locations
- Restaurant Expansion: Launched Nuri Steakhouse ($20M buildout), JOA Grill, and Flock & Fresh fast-casual chicken concept in Dallas
- 2025 Growth: Opened 74 new stores in 2025 with 101 franchise commitments signed, entering Utah and Minnesota as new markets
Wan Kim Net Worth & Salary
As a privately held company, Smoothie King does not disclose executive compensation publicly. Wan Kim’s net worth is estimated at $50–70 million, derived primarily from his ownership stake in the company. Kim acquired the entire Smoothie King brand in 2012, financing the deal with $58 million in growth capital from Standard Chartered Private Equity and the National Pension Fund of Korea. In July 2025, San Francisco-based Main Post Partners acquired a minority stake in the company to support continued growth, though Kim retains majority ownership and operational control.
CEO Compensation
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | Not publicly disclosed (private company) |
| Ownership Income | Multi-million dollar annual earnings from franchise royalties & company revenue |
| Equity Stake | Majority owner of Smoothie King Franchises, Inc. |
| Other Ventures | Nuri Steakhouse, JOA Grill, Flock & Fresh |
| Est. Net Worth | $50–70 million |
Smoothie King Financial Summary
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| System-wide Revenue (est.) | ~$800M+ | ~$644M | ▲ Growth |
| Number of Locations | 1,200+ | 1,150+ | ▲ +84 new stores |
| Average Unit Volume | ~$660K | ~$627K | ▲ +5.3% |
| Same-Store Sales (2023) | — | +11.5% | ▲ Strong |
| Ownership Status | Privately Held (minority investment from Main Post Partners, July 2025) | ||
Growth Trajectory: Smoothie King opened 84 new stores in 2024 (a brand record of 11 openings in December alone) and 74 stores in 2025, with 90+ locations forecasted for 2026. The brand also entered two new states — Utah and Minnesota — in 2025.
Smoothie King Competitors
Smoothie King operates in the competitive health and wellness smoothie and juice bar segment. Key competitors include:
- Jamba (formerly Jamba Juice) – 800+ locations, owned by FOCUS Brands; largest U.S. smoothie chain by revenue
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe – 1,400+ locations; combines smoothies with food menu (wraps, sandwiches)
- Planet Smoothie – Focused on fitness-oriented smoothies; part of the Kahala Brands portfolio
- Juice It Up! – West Coast-focused juice and smoothie chain
- Nekter Juice Bar – Premium cold-pressed juices and smoothies
- Robeks – Health-focused smoothie franchise
How to Contact Wan Kim — Email & Phone
Below are the official contact details for Smoothie King and CEO Wan Kim:
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Email Format | [email protected] |
| Corporate HQ | 9797 Rombauer Rd, Suite 150, Coppell, TX 75019 |
| Phone | (800) 577-4200 |
| Franchise Info | smoothiekingfranchise.com |
| Wan Kim – CEO & Chairman at Smoothie King | |
| Website | smoothieking.com |
Career & Education — Company, University, & College
Wan Kim’s entrepreneurial journey spans from South Korea to the United States, building a multi-million dollar franchise empire along the way.
Career Timeline
| Period | Role |
|---|---|
| Early 1990s | Emigrated from South Korea to the U.S. at age 19; enrolled at Boston University |
| Mid-1990s | B.S. International Management, Boston University |
| Late 1990s | MBA studies at UC Irvine, Paul Merage School of Business |
| 2003 | Opened first international Smoothie King franchise in South Korea |
| 2003–2012 | Master franchisee; grew Smoothie King to 130+ locations across South Korea |
| 2012 | Acquired Smoothie King from founders Steve & Cindy Kuhnau; became CEO & Chairman |
| 2014 | Secured Smoothie King Center naming rights deal (New Orleans Pelicans’ NBA arena) |
| 2018 | Relocated corporate HQ from New Orleans to Coppell, Texas |
| 2020 | Featured on CBS’s Undercover Boss |
| 2024 | Opened Nuri Steakhouse ($20M Korean-accented steakhouse) in Dallas |
| 2025–2026 | Launched Flock & Fresh; overseeing 1,200+ locations; Main Post Partners minority investment |
Education
| University | Degree / Program |
|---|---|
| Boston University | Bachelor of Science in International Management |
| University of California, Irvine (Paul Merage School of Business) | Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
Wan Kim Wiki — Age, Family, & More
Smoothie King CEO Wan Kim (age 53) was born in South Korea circa 1972. He emigrated to the United States at age 19 to attend Boston University. Kim is married to his wife Hosun, and the couple has three children — one son and two daughters. The family relocated from New Orleans to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2018 when he moved the company’s headquarters to Coppell, Texas.
Outside of work, Kim enjoys cycling and golf. He is passionate about health and wellness, describing it as “beautiful to be able to bring his family every day and feed his children the very same products he strives to sell to the world.” His entrepreneurial philosophy centers on building small habits for sustained success.
About Smoothie King
Smoothie King is an American smoothie franchise company founded in 1973 by Steve and Cindy Kuhnau in Kenner, Louisiana. Originally called “The Smoothie King,” the company pioneered the nutritional smoothie concept, blending real fruit with vitamins, minerals, and protein supplements. Today, Smoothie King operates over 1,200 locations across the United States and internationally.
| Company Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1973, Kenner, Louisiana |
| Founders | Steve & Cindy Kuhnau |
| Current Owner & CEO | Wan Kim (acquired 2012) |
| Headquarters | Coppell, Texas |
| Locations | 1,200+ (U.S. and international) |
| Industry | Health & Fitness Smoothies / Quick-Service Restaurant |
| Revenue (est.) | $800M+ system-wide (2024) |
| Ownership | Privately held (minority stake: Main Post Partners) |
Smoothie King’s menu focuses on purpose-based blends organized into categories such as Fitness, Slim, Wellness, and Break Time, each designed to support specific health and fitness goals. The brand positions itself as “A Healthier Way to be a Smoothie” and differentiates from competitors by emphasizing clean, whole ingredients and functional nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Wan Kim’s net worth?
Wan Kim’s net worth is estimated at $50–70 million, derived primarily from his majority ownership stake in Smoothie King. He acquired the brand in 2012 with $58 million in growth capital backing from Standard Chartered Private Equity and the National Pension Fund of Korea.
How did Wan Kim become Smoothie King CEO?
Kim opened the first international Smoothie King franchise in South Korea in 2003, grew it to 130+ locations as master franchisee, then acquired the entire company from founders Steve and Cindy Kuhnau in 2012, becoming CEO & Chairman.
What is Wan Kim’s salary at Smoothie King?
Kim’s exact salary is not publicly disclosed since Smoothie King is a privately held company. As the majority owner, his annual earnings are estimated in the multi-million dollar range from franchise royalties and company revenue.
Where did Wan Kim go to college?
Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in International Management from Boston University and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine (Paul Merage School of Business).
How many Smoothie King locations are there?
As of early 2026, Smoothie King operates over 1,200 locations across the United States and internationally. The company opened 84 new stores in 2024 and 74 in 2025, with 90+ locations forecasted for 2026.
Was Wan Kim on Undercover Boss?
Yes. Wan Kim was featured on CBS’s Emmy Award-winning show Undercover Boss on October 23, 2020. He went undercover at five Smoothie King locations, disguised with shoulder-length hair and a Van Dyke beard, performing tasks like making smoothies, working the drive-thru, and scrubbing floors.
Article last updated: March 5, 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including corporate websites, franchise disclosure documents, and reputable news outlets. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Net worth figures are estimates and may vary by source.